The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a second recess in the ongoing collation of Ondo State governorship election results after announcing outcomes from 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading in all 15 LGAs declared so far, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trailing behind in second place.
Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, the collation officer, announced the recess to allow time for results from the remaining LGAs, Ilaje and Ese Odo, which are located far from Akure, the state capital.
The collation is expected to resume at 12 noon.
“I think we can just adjourn till 12 noon. The remaining local governments, Ilaje and Ese Odo, are very far, so we need to give time for their results to arrive,” said Prof. Akinwunmi.
The LGAs declared so far include Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, and Okitipupa.
However, there was a dispute in Idanre, where the PDP agent alleged irregularities such as vote buying, ballot box snatching, and a lack of voting in some areas. The agent called for the results from Idanre to be rejected.
Despite these allegations, INEC officials remain confident that the final result will be declared soon. Prof. Kunle Ajayi, an INEC National Commissioner, assured voters that the collation process would be completed and a winner announced by 6 a.m.
“I can assure you that we will stay here until we declare the winner. I believe everything will be over by 6 a.m.,” Prof. Ajayi said before the process began.
The remaining LGAs to be announced are Ilaje, Ese Odo, and Odigbo.
