Lucky Aiyedatiwa Wins APC Governorship Primaries in Ondo State

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent Governor of Ondo State, has received the certificate of return from the All Progressives Congress (APC) after winning the party's governorship primaries with 48,569 votes. The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, presented the certificate to Aiyedatiwa at a ceremony in Abuja on April 30, 2024.

Aiyedatiwa outperformed his closest competitors, Mayowa Akinfolarin, who polled 15,343 votes, and Olusola Oke, who came third with 14,865 votes, in the primary election held on April 20. The governor thanked the party leadership, members, and the state's stakeholders for their commitment to keeping the party united and ensuring a transparent and fair primary process. He also acknowledged the other aspirants for their sportsmanship, stating that they are all now on the same page.

Why this matters: The outcome of the APC governorship primaries in Ondo State sets the stage for the November 16 election, where Governor Aiyedatiwa will seek to maintain his position. The unity and support within the party will be crucial for the APC's chances of securing victory in the upcoming polls.

Expressing confidence in the APC's prospects, Aiyedatiwa said, "The APC is the preferred party in Ondo State, and we have the support of not just our members but the entire Ondo State community." He assured that he would lead an inclusive government if elected as the state's next governor.

However, the primary election was not without controversy. Some contestants, including Folakemi Omogoroye, claimed that the elections did not occur and described the process as a "complete rape on democracy," calling for the cancellation of the exercise. Additionally, dissatisfied party members marched through the streets of Akure, demanding that the exercise be voided and the committee chairman, Ahmed Ododo, be ousted.

Governor Aiyedatiwa appealed to the 15 other aspirants who contested against him to join hands with him to win the main election. He assured that he has been consulting with the other aspirants and that some appointments have not been made, which he will address. The APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed optimism about the party's chances of securing a landslide victory on November 16, citing the sequence of continuity Aiyedatiwa has passed through, having served as a deputy governor, acting governor, and now the incumbent governor.

Key Takeaways

• Lucky Aiyedatiwa won the APC governorship primaries in Ondo State with 48,569 votes.
• Aiyedatiwa received the APC's certificate of return, setting him up for the November 16 election.
• The primary process was controversial, with some contestants claiming the elections did not occur.
• Aiyedatiwa appealed to other aspirants to join him, promising an inclusive government if elected.
• The APC National Chairman expressed optimism about the party's chances of securing a landslide victory.