2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 31.6%  1.85pp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 LGA results Akeredolu: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 80–90% Jegede: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election was held on 10 October 2020. Incumbent APC governor Rotimi Akeredolu won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Eyitayo Jegede, ZLP Agboola Ajayi and several minor party candidates.
Rotimi Akeredolu was the APC candidate.[1] He picked Lucky Aiyedatiwa as his running mate.[2]
Eyitayo Jegede was the PDP candidate with Gboluga Ikengboju as his running mate.[3][4] Agboola Ajayi was the ZLP candidate with Gboye Adegbenro as his running mate.[5][6][7][8] Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan stood in for ADC in the polls, while Dotun Ojon represented YPP.[9] 17 candidates contested in the election, all were male, while 2 of the deputy governorship candidates were female.[10]
Electoral system
[edit]The governor of Ondo State is elected using the plurality voting system.
Primary election
[edit]APC primary
[edit]The APC primary election was held on 20 July 2020. Rotimi Akeredolu, the incumbent governor won the primary election polling 2,725 votes against 7 other candidates. His closest rival was Olusola Oke, a former governorship aspirant in the state who came a distant second with 262 votes, while Isaac Kekemeke, came third with 19 votes.[11][1]
Candidates
[edit]- Party nominee: Rotimi Akeredolu: Incumbent governor.
- Running mate: Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
- Olusola Oke: Former governorship aspirant. Lost in the primary election.
- lsaac Kekemeke: Lost in the primary election.
- Jumoke Anifowose: Lost in the primary election.
- Olayide Adelami: Lost in the primary election.
- Sola Iji: Lost in the primary election.
- Awodeyi Akinsehinwa: Lost in the primary election.
- Bukola Adetula: Lost in the primary election.
PDP primary
[edit]The PDP primary election was held on 22 July 2020. Eyitayo Jegede won the primary election polling 888 votes against 7 other candidates. His closest rival was Agboola Ajayi, deputy governor in the state who came second with 675 votes, while Eddy Olafeso, a former vice chairman of the party in the state came a distant third with 175 votes.[12][3]
Candidates
[edit]- Party nominee: Eyitayo Jegede.
- Running mate: Gboluga Ikengboju.
- Agboola Ajayi: Deputy governor. Lost in the primary election.
- Eddy Olafeso: Former vice chairman of the party in the state. Lost in the primary election.
- Bode Ayorinde: Former member of the House of Representatives. Lost in the primary election.
- Banji Okunomo: Lost in the primary election.
- Sola Ebiseni: Former commissioner. Lost in the primary election.
- Godday Erewa: Lost in the primary election.
- Boluwaji Kunlere: Lost in the primary election.
Results
[edit]A total of 17 candidates registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest in the election.[9] APC Governor Rotimi Akeredolu won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Eyitayo Jegede, ZLP Agboola Ajayi and several minor party candidates. Akeredolu received 51.1% of the votes, Jegede received 34.2%, while Ajayi received 12.1%.[13]
The total number of registered voters in the state was 1,812,634 while 595,213 voters were accredited. Total number of votes cast was 591,193, while number of valid votes was 572,745. Rejected votes were 18,448.[13]
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rotimi Akeredolu | All Progressives Congress | 292,830 | 51.13 | |
| Eyitayo Jegede | People's Democratic Party | 195,791 | 34.18 | |
| Agboola Ajayi | Zenith Labour Party | 69,127 | 12.07 | |
| Martin Kunle Olateru-Olagbegi | Action Democratic Party | 3,464 | 0.60 | |
| Fasua Peter Oyeleye | Social Democratic Party | 3,053 | 0.53 | |
| Adelegan Adedapo Oluwaseyi | African Democratic Congress | 2,440 | 0.43 | |
| Okunade Taiwo | Labour Party | 1,977 | 0.35 | |
| Adeleye Adekunle Peter | African Action Congress | 814 | 0.14 | |
| Babatunde Francis Alli | People's Redemption Party | 669 | 0.12 | |
| Adesanya Olaoluwa | Action Peoples Party | 527 | 0.09 | |
| Funmilayo Jenyo Ataunoko | National Rescue Movement | 468 | 0.08 | |
| Ojon Dotun | Young Progressives Party | 398 | 0.07 | |
| Aminu Akeem Olarenwaju | Allied Peoples Movement | 309 | 0.05 | |
| Rotimi Adeleye Akindejoye | Accord | 292 | 0.05 | |
| Olowoloba Dele | All Progressives Grand Alliance | 271 | 0.05 | |
| Ojajuni Joseph Eniola | New Nigeria Peoples Party | 222 | 0.04 | |
| Joshua Oluwafemi Adewole | Action Alliance | 93 | 0.02 | |
| Total | 572,745 | 100.00 | ||
| Valid votes | 572,745 | 96.88 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | 18,448 | 3.12 | ||
| Total votes | 591,193 | 100.00 | ||
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,812,634 | 32.62 | ||
| Source: INEC, INEC | ||||
By local government area
[edit]Here are the results of the election by local government area for the two major parties. The total valid votes of 572,745 represents the 17 political parties that participated in the election. Blue represents LGAs won by Akeredolu. Green represents LGAs won by Jegede.[14][15]
| County | Rotimi Akeredolu
APC |
Eyitayo Jegede
PDP |
Total Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | % | # | % | # | |
| Ifedore | 9,350 | 44% | 11,852 | 56% | 21,202 |
| Ile Oluji/Okeigbo | 13,278 | 59% | 9,231 | 41% | 22,509 |
| Irele | 12,643 | 69.7% | 5,493 | 30.3% | 18,136 |
| Akoko North-East | 16,572 | 66.4% | 8,380 | 33.6% | 24,952 |
| Akoko South-East | 21,232 | 58.5% | 15,055 | 41.5% | 36,287 |
| Akoko North-West | 15,809 | 60.5% | 10,320 | 39.5% | 26,129 |
| Ondo East | 6,485 | 61.6% | 4,049 | 38.4% | 10,534 |
| Akure North | 9,546 | 43.8% | 12,263 | 56.2% | 21,809 |
| Owo | 35,957 | 87.1% | 5,311 | 12.9% | 41,268 |
| Idanre | 11,286 | 60.1% | 7,499 | 39.9% | 18,785 |
| Akoko South-East | 9,419 | 70.2% | 4,003 | 29.8% | 13,422 |
| Akure South | 17,277 | 26.6% | 47,627 | 73.4% | 64,904 |
| Ose | 15,122 | 64.2% | 8,421 | 35.8% | 23,543 |
| Okitipupa | 19,266 | 65% | 10,367 | 35% | 29,633 |
| Ondo West | 15,977 | 60.1% | 10,627 | 39.9% | 26,604 |
| Odigbo | 23,571 | 71.3% | 9,485 | 28.7% | 33,056 |
| Ilaje | 26,657 | 70.5% | 11,128 | 29.5% | 37,785 |
| Ese Odo | 13,383 | 74.1% | 4,680 | 25.9% | 18,063 |
| Totals | 292,830 | 51.1% | 195,791 | 34.2% | 572,745 |
Aftermath
[edit]Later in October, Jegede officially challenged the results at the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal based on four alleged issues: irregularities in the results, violence, intimidation of voters, and improper holding of the APC primary. This challenge was filed as Akeredolu had already set up a 25-member inaugural committee headed by Deputy Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa.[16] The Tribunal held first its proceedings on the case on November 4[17] and its inaugural sitting on December 8, which was met with considerable violence between APC and PDP supporters outside the High Court Complex.[18] After Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term in office on February 24, 2021,[19] the Tribunal reached an April 20 verdict in favor of Akeredolu by dismissing Jegede’s petition for lack of merit.[20]
After the verdict, Akeredolu told Jegede to join him in uniting Ondo and to avoid further litigation,[21] however, the Ondo State PDP said it would appeal the tribunal's decision.[22] The PDP appeal to the Court of Appeal in Akure failed as well with the court's Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua-led five-member panel dismissing their case.[23] however, the Ondo State PDP said it would appeal the tribunal's decision.[24] Nonetheless, the Ondo PDP immediately announced that they would appeal to the Supreme Court while Akeredolu once again called for Jegede to avoid litigation to unite the state and claimed that Jegede will lose at the Supreme Court as well.[25]
On 28 July 2021, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeal and Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal in a 4-3 decision. The majority opinion stated that while Jegede may have been correct in that Mai Mala Buni was not legitimately the national APC Caretaker Chairman and thus could not nominate Akeredolu, since Jegede failed to name Buni in the appeal, it must be dismissed. The dissenting opinion held that since the APC itself was named in the case, the appeal could have been heard.[26][27][28] After the ruling, Jegede finally conceded while Akeredolu praised the judiciary and his legal team.[29][30] The parties reacted similarly, with the APC commending the decision while the PDP stated its respect for the judiciary but claimed that the reason for the decision effectively vindicated their case.[31]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Johnson, Dayo (20 July 2020). "Akeredolu emerges APC governorship candidate, records landslide victory". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (29 July 2020). "Ondo 2020: Akeredolu announces running mate". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ a b Johnson, Dayo (23 July 2020). "Eyitayo Jegede emerges Ondo PDP governorship candidate, defeats deputy governor, Ajayi". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (17 August 2020). "Ondo 2020: PDP's Eyitayo Jegede picks federal lawmaker as running mate". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Abdul, Babajide (14 August 2020). "Third force emerges in Ondo as Akeredolu's Deputy, Ajayi declares for ZLP". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (17 August 2020). "Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor Ajayi picks Mimiko's ally as running mate". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Oluwole, Josiah (16 August 2020). "Ondo 2020: Why I surrendered governorship ticket to Agboola Ajayi – ZLP candidate". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (10 August 2020). "Ondo 2020: ZLP clears Ondo Deputy Governor Ajayi". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ a b Adejumo, Kabir (9 October 2020). "Profiles: Know the candidates for Ondo 2020 election". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "PROVISIONAL LIST OF CANDIDATES 2020 Governorship Election - Ondo State" (PDF). inecnigeria.org. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (20 July 2020). "Ondo 2020: APC governorship primary commences". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ Adejumo, Kabir (22 July 2020). "Ondo 2020: Deputy governor, seven others battle for PDP ticket". Premium Times. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Declaration of Result to the Office of the Governor, Ondo State". Twitter. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ "Final Collation Of Ondo Governorship Election Results". Channels TV. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ Akinola, Ajibola (11 October 2020). "Akeredolu Defeats Jegede Again, Re-Elected As Governor". Channels TV. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Akeredolu's aide mocks Jegede as PDP candidate heads for tribunal". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Tribunal grants substituted service on Akeredolu". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Many injured as APC, PDP supporters clash at tribunal in Ondo". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ "Governor Akeredolu of Ondo has just been sworn-in for a 2nd term in office". Pulse Nigeria. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Ondo poll: Tribunal strikes out Jegede's petition against Akeredolu". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Shun litigation, Akeredolu tells Jegede after tribunal victory". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "PDP plans appeal as Ondo tribunal declares Akeredolu poll winner". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Shun litigation, Akeredolu tells Jegede after tribunal victory". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Appeal Court dismisses Jegede's case against Akeredolu's victory". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Ondo poll: I'll defeat Jegede in Supreme Court, says Akeredolu". The Punch. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
- ^ Nwisagbo, Lesi. "Supreme Court dismisses Jegede's appeal against Akeredolu". The Punch. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Nnochiri, Ikechukwu. "[UPDATED]Ondo Gov Poll: In split judgment, S'Court affirms Akeredolu's victory". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ "UPDATED: Supreme Court upholds Akeredolu's victory". Premium Times. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Ondo: Jegede congratulates Akeredolu on Supreme Court victory". The Punch. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Dada, Peter. "Supreme Court: Let's work for the upliftment of Ondo, Akeredolu tells Jegede". The Punch. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ Baiyewu, Leke. "APC, PDP differ on Akeredolu's Supreme Court victory over Jegede". The Punch. Retrieved 29 July 2021.