Assembly election: PDP protest in Ondo

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Hundreds of protesters  from Ondo West and Ondo East local government areas of the State,  yesterday  barricaded the headquarters of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for several hours to demand cancellation of the results of the March 9, 2019 State House of Assembly poll.

The protesters- led by Chief Segun Adegoke and the lawmaker, Ifedayo Akinsoyinu rejected the victory of APC and ZLP in the three state constituencies in the two local government areas in Ondo kingdom for alleged over voting, non-use of card reader machines, harassment of voters and other electoral irregularities.

The gate of INEC office was locked and security operatives were stationed around the complex to monitor the protest as the people carried placards with various inscriptions: “Our people were maimed,” “INEC stop playing God.”

Others were: “INEC a collaborator to rigging in Ondo Kingdom,” “INEC must cancel MHA result election in Ondo Kingdom,” “Akeredolu empowers youths as thugs, to mention few”.

The protesters said their candidates would approach election petition tribunal if INEC refused to address their grievances on time.

Reacting, Chief Wale Gbakinro, Ondo state Chairman of the ZLP, and Mr Alex Kalejaye, the State Publicity Secretary of the APC, described the allegations of the protesters as unfounded.

Gbakinro said, “we advised them to stop the mischievous tendencies and approach the court of competent jurisdiction to seek legal redress if they genuinely have any case. Our party is focused on delivering on our campaign promises and our goal is to  continue to raise Ondo state to an enviable height as we have always done”.

In a statement, Kalejaye noted that, “We also encouraged the PDP to grow up and quit the realm of bad losers. They should learn to accept defeat without sulking; and support the sincere efforts by the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led government to enhance a solid economic growth in the State”.