Governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the October 10 governorship election  in Ondo State, Mr Eyitayo Jegede has challenged the victory of Govenor Rotimi Akeredolu of All Progressives Congress (APC) at the election petition tribunal.

Joined in the petition are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Deputy Govenor- elect, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa and APC. INEC had declared Akeredolu winner of the governorship election, having polled the highest number of lawful votes. Akeredolu, according to the results declared by INEC defeated Mr Agboola Ajayi of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Jegede of PDP.

Not comfortable with the outcome of the election, Jegede, who was a Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, approached the election petition tribunal to seek redress.

Lead counsel to Jegede, Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, said Jegede is challenging the election on four grounds. He argued that the election was marred by irregularities, violence and intimidation of eligible voters.

Jegede also faulted the emergence of Akeredolu as the governorship candidate of APC, claiming that the primary election that produced Akeredolu as the governorship candidate of APC fell short of standard.

Meanwhile, APC in Ondo State has said that it entertains no fear over the decision of the governorship candidate of PDP, to approach the election petition tribunal. The party said its governorship candidate in the election, Akeredolu is also not worried by Jegede’s action.

The state publicity secretary of the party, Mr Alex Kalejaiye while reacting to Jegede’s move, said the party is prepared to meet him at the tribunal. He said APC and Akeredolu are convinced that the PDP candidate will lose at the tribunal the same way he lost the governorship election. Kaleyaiye who described Jegede’s action as a democratic process, said APC won the October 10 governorship election overwhelmingly, hence its belief that it will emerge victorious at the tribunal.

However, he said Jegede’s action was in order as a democratic and constitutional way through which he could vent his displeasure with the outcome of the last election.

Sun