Alleging widespread manipulation by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has rejected the results of Saturday’s local government elections in Ondo State.
In a statement by its State Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli, the party faulted the election as fraudulent, as it was allegedly marred by intimidation of opposition members, non-provision of critical electoral forms, and ballot stuffing among other irregularities.
The party reacted few hours after the chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, ODIEC, Dr. Joseph Aremo, announced that the APC swept the polls in which 12 political parties participated.
He had on Sunday night declared that the APC won all the chairmanship and councillorship seats across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Aremo added that the commission would today present certificates of return to all chairmen-elect, while councilors-elect will receive theirs on Tuesday.
On its own, claiming lack of confidence in ODIEC to conduct a free, credible, and transparent election, the leading opposition party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), withdrew its participation 48 hours to the election.
According to the SDP chairman: “The ruling All Progressives Congress manipulated the exercise, which the good people of the state know was a massive selection, not an election.”
Calling for an immediate cancellation of the election for allegedly lacking credibility, the SDP alleged for instance that OSIEC officials in Odigbo and Ile Oluji towns disregarded proper electoral procedures, with results allegedly written on plain sheets of paper.
The party said, “The election should be cancelled based on the lack of credibility, non-provision of Form ECA, ballot stuffing, and the biased conduct of security personnel.”
It also accused security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, of complicity in the alleged electoral malpractice, adding that police officers in Ore Division actively enabled thuggery by APC supporters and arrested SDP candidates who resisted such actions.
Calling on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the allegations of malpractices against policemen, Akinbuli said, “We have video evidence showing a police officer allegedly supervising the harassment of our chairmanship candidate in Odigbo, Mr. Jimmy Akiyan,”
Also, he criticised the shortage of security personnel, which he claimed left room for voter intimidation and manipulation.
However, the APC State Chairman, Engnr Ade Adetimehin, dismissed the allegations, as he described the election as one of the most peaceful in the state’s history.
His words: “The election was peaceful, free, and fair. Anybody saying otherwise is just making noise to be heard,” as he commended ODIEC and other stakeholders for their efforts
He told the stakeholders, “You were on the field that day. Where did you see any form of manipulation? The process was well organised, and I commend everyone involved for a job well done.”
While announcing the results at ODIEC head office in Akure on Sunday night, Aremo said that the election, keenly contested by 12 political parties, was peaceful without any incidents.
According to him, the contest for chairmanship and councillorship seats were in the state’s 18 local government areas and 203 wards.
His words: “The election across the 203 wards was keenly contested, and candidates sponsored by APC emerged as councilors-elect in the 2025 local government election of Ondo State.
“Also for the chairmanship election as well, it was keenly contested and from presentations made at the respective LG level, the candidates of APC emerged winners across all the 18 councils.”
Aremo appreciated residents in the state for upholding the tenets of rule of law, and for coming out to vote for the candidates of their choices. He noted that the presentation of the results show that Saturday’s election was free, fair, credible and transparent.
Also, he assured residents of the commission’s readiness to do more in subsequent elections, and called on political parties to play their roles in terms of voter education and participation.
His words: “Whatever the shortcoming we have identified in the process, we will definitely improve, especially in the area of enlightenment.
“But we cannot do it alone, because political parties must step up the desire to enlighten their members in terms of voter education and participation.
“Sovereignty ultimately belongs to the people and they should be allowed to choose whoever they want as their leaders,” he said.
Political parties that participated in the election are Action Alliance (AA), African Democratic Party (ADP), Action People’s Party (APP), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Youth Party (YP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
In his reaction, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to bolstering the local government system, in compliance with the law, as a means to achieve sustainable development in communities.
He also underscored the importance of the process in fostering grassroots development.
Aiyedatiwa who voted at Polling Unit 5, Ugbo Ward 4, Ilaje Local Government area, lauded the smooth electoral process and commended the efforts of the ODIEC.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, expressed satisfaction with voters turnout.
In a statement issued by John Paul Akinduro, Press Secretary to the State Governor (Office of the Deputy Governor), said the election will deepen delivery of good governance at the grassroots level which is closest to the people.
The Deputy Governor also praised the ODIEC, security agencies and other stakeholders for ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election.
Reacting, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Olamide Oladiji, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election by the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC).
Stressing the importance of the local government elections, Oladiji appreciated the Governor for his various initiatives aimed at promoting smooth and effective grassroots development in the state.
He commended the people of the State for maintaining peace and coming out to cast their votes.
