The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious in the state’s local government elections held on Saturday.
In a live broadcast early Sunday, OGSIEC Chairman Babatunde Osibodu announced that the APC won all 20 local government chairmanship seats and all 236 councillorship positions.
“A total of 613,156 votes were cast in the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas.
The elections saw participation from 19 political parties,” Osibodu stated from the OGSIEC headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Parties on the ballot included the Accord Party, African Action Congress, African Democratic Congress, Labour Party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party, and others.
Despite the announcement, several opposition parties have rejected the election results, alleging widespread irregularities and malpractice.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) State Chairman, Femi Aina, questioned the credibility of the process, describing it as “chaotic.”
He demanded that the Ogun State House of Assembly summon OGSIEC officials for accountability.
“Why were people allowed to vote using business cards? what about the inadequate ballot papers and late arrival of officials?.
This was not an election but a corrupt exercise.
NNPP completely rejects the results and calls for an investigation,” Aina stated.
Similarly, Labour Party Chairman Lookman Jagun decried the election as a “sham” and urged OGSIEC to cancel the results.
“We call for the cancellation of the entire election due to clear violations of Ogun State’s electoral law.
If OGSIEC fails, we will pursue legal action to challenge this charade,” Jagun declared.
The PDP also expressed dissatisfaction with the election.
Dr. Sunday Solarin, the party’s secretary, labeled the exercise a “sham,” alleging that APC thugs disrupted the process and attacked opposition members.
“This election was fraught with violence and malpractice.
We reject the results and will explore all legal avenues to address this injustice,” Solarin said.
While opposition parties have voiced strong objections, OGSIEC insists that the elections were conducted in accordance with the law, with the APC’s clean sweep underscoring its dominance in the state.
The elections mark another chapter in Ogun State’s political landscape, though tensions surrounding the conduct and fairness of the polls may lead to extended legal and political battles.
