Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor of Ondo State, has emerged victorious in the APC ward primary, securing the party's candidacy for the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
Aiyedatiwa secured a significant lead, garnering 48,569 votes in the primaries. His closest contender, Mayowa Akinfolarin, trailed with 15,343 votes, while Olusola Oke secured the third position with 14,865 votes.
Chairman of the Governorship Primary Election Committee and Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo while announcing Aiyedatiwa's victory, highlighted the smooth conduct of the electoral process, noting minimal incidents of violence.
"I can confirm that the direct mode of primary election was adopted in the 2024 Ondo state governorship primary elections, held in all 203 electoral wards across the 18 LGAs in Ondo state," stated Ododo during the declaration of the winner.
Aiyedatiwa won 16 of the 18 LGAs in the state but lost out to Olusola Oke in Ilaje LGA.
However, the election in Ifedore LGA was marred by incidents of violence, resulting in the cancellation of results in that area.
The governorship primary election held on Saturday was characterised by violence in some locations even as some aspirants alleged that voting did not take place in most of the 203 Wards.
Speaking to journalists at BON Hotel in Akure, aggrieved aspirants called for the cancellation of the governorship primary election over alleged fraud perpetrated by the Electoral Committee led by Governor Ododo of Kogi State.