By Daud Olatunji

ABEOKUTA—The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State has kicked against the declaration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as winner of the governorship election in the state. The party said: ‘’The development is clearly not a true reflection of Ogun people’s wish and it will be challenged appropriately.”

Gov Ibikunle Amosun

The Independent National Electoral Commission in the state had declared Amosun who is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress as governor-elect having polled 306,988 votes to defeat the PDP governorship candidate in the state,  Prince Gboyega Isiaka who polled 201,440 votes.

Reacting to Amosun’s declaration, the party, through the Gboyega Nasir Isiaka Campaign Organization    declared  the gubernatorial election “as very unfortunate and a travesty staged to help the APC achieve victory”.

The  party  in a statement  signed by Director of Media , Ifekayode  Akinbode , said    “whereas , INEC declared APC the winner with 307,008 votes and the PDP coming second with 201,440 votes, we are not oblivious of the clear manipulations, misrepresentations, underhand dealings and outright rigging by the APC; and most unfortunately with the   culpability of INEC.

“  Let us quickly state emphatically that we are displeased with the outcome of the governorship election particularly as being irregular in most aspects.

“ However we must state a few facts here to support our preliminary position.  Before the election, we alerted that huge numbers of uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) were in the possession of APC stalwarts with the intention to give same to their party members for use with active connivance of compromised corps members and INEC staff.

“This was indeed what happened.   Secondly, on the election date, Ogun people trooped out and actually voted for the PDP. As at 3pm we were actually receiving good results from all over the state as results were being announced and posted from various polling booths.

“ This was the situation until Sen. Amosun defied the electoral law and moved out of his polling zone into other areas of Abeokuta and then to Sagamu, Ota and Ifo local government areas with a full retinue of buses.

“ What followed were reports of snatching of ballot boxes and stuffing of same in these locations. Same manipulation happened enroute the collation centres.

“It was for these reasons that some PDP agents refused to sign the results sheets; yet the umpire went ahead to announce results despite the overvoting, result falsification, harassment of our party agents and other irregularities. Clearly, the huge votes from Ogun central local governments of Abeokuta North   Abeokuta South, Odeda, Obafemi Owode as well as Ado Odo/Ota lg in Ogun West Senatorial district were a true reflection of the rigging. It is in the light of the foregoing that our legal officers and the party are looking at the results and they shall come up with a clear position   on this election that was marred with gross irregularities. We implore our supporters, party faithfuls and indeed Ogun people to remain calm. We appreciate the support, trust and confidence reposed on Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.

“He remains committed to making Life More Abundant for the masses and so shall it remain. God bless Ogun State”, the party said.