The All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the Ogun State Local Government elections, clinching all 20 chairmanship positions and 236 councillorship seats, according to the Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), Babatunde Osibodu. The official results were announced early Sunday at the OGSIEC headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta, during a live broadcast.
Osibodu revealed that a total of 613,156 votes were cast in the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas, with 19 political parties participating in the polls. The contesting parties included the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), among others.
“The APC won all 20 local government seats and 236 councillorship wards in the state,” Osibodu declared.
Opposition Parties Reject Results
However, the elections have sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties, with several questioning the fairness and transparency of the process.
NNPP’s Reaction
The state chairman of the NNPP, Femi Aina, labeled the election a “chaotic exercise” and accused OGSIEC of electoral malpractice. Aina called on the Ogun State House of Assembly to summon OGSIEC officials for explanations.
He stated, “Why were people allowed to vote with business cards? What about the inadequate ballot papers and late arrivals of officials? There was no election, just a corrupt exercise. NNPP totally rejects the results because the process was entirely unfair.”
Labour Party’s Stance
The Labour Party also denounced the election results. Its state chairman, Lookman Jagun, claimed the election violated Ogun State’s electoral laws and demanded its cancellation.
“We completely reject any results declared in this sham of an election. Even the good people of Ogun State have expressed their opinions on radio and television that there was no election in the state. If OGSIEC fails to cancel the election, we will take legal steps to challenge this charade,” Jagun said.
PDP’s Criticism
The PDP’s State Secretary, Dr. Sunday Solarin, echoed these sentiments, describing the election as a “sham” and accusing APC supporters of intimidating opposition members during the polls. He alleged widespread irregularities and voter suppression.
Calls for Accountability
The opposition parties are demanding an explanation from OGSIEC for alleged procedural lapses, including the late arrival of election materials and accusations of voter manipulation. The NNPP and LP have vowed to challenge the results in court, citing violations of electoral laws and a lack of transparency.
As the APC celebrates its clean sweep, the contentious election results have cast a shadow over the democratic process in Ogun State, raising concerns about electoral credibility and governance in the state.
