— Mimiko, Olabimtan, Oke rally support for Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu recorded a sweeping victory in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in Ondo State, polling 181,966 votes across the state’s 18 local government areas.

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who served as collation and returning officer, announced the result at The Dome in Akure after receiving submissions from local government collation officers.

According to Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State had 193,334 registered APC members, with 181,996 accredited and 181,996 votes cast. His challenger, Mr. Stanley Osifo, scored zero votes across all 18 LGAs.

Tinubu’s breakdown by LGA shows 12,048 votes in Akoko North-East, 10,388 in Akoko North-West, 6,005 in Akoko South-East, and 9,485 in Akoko South-West. He polled 6,834 votes in Ose and 13,313 in Owo, while securing 10,898 in Akure North and 15,864 in Akure South.

Other results include 5,059 votes in Ondo East, 14,333 in Ondo West, 8,797 in Idanre, 7,939 in Ifedore, and 7,299 in Ileoluji/Okeigbo. In the remaining areas, Tinubu recorded 12,257 votes in Odigbo, 9,610 in Irele, 9,512 in Okitipupa, 7,036 in Ese Odo, and 15,320 in Ilaje.

Speaking after the exercise, Aiyedatiwa described the primary as one of the most successful ever conducted in the state, saying party members showed unity and loyalty by backing Tinubu unanimously.

He noted that two aspirants contested, but only Tinubu received votes.

The governor said the outcome reflects Ondo’s longstanding support for the APC, recalling that the state gave the party its highest percentage of votes in the last presidential election.

Aiyedatiwa estimated that 92-93% of registered APC members participated and expressed confidence that the turnout and support would carry into the general election.

He said that more residents were joining the APC and assured that the party would deliver higher votes for Tinubu next time.

The governor declared that the State was now fully aligned with the APC and set a target of one million votes for the president in the 2027 election.

He commended party leaders for mobilising members and thanked APC faithful for turning out despite expectations that Tinubu’s win was assured.

In his welcome address, Ondo APC Chairman Babatunde Kolawole called the primary one of the most credible and violence-free exercises in the party’s history in the state.

Kolawole commended Aiyedatiwa and members for ensuring a peaceful process and urged aspirants who did not secure tickets not to lose hope.

Former governor Olusegun Mimiko, in his goodwill message, said issues facing the country cannot be addressed without governors’ support.

Mimiko described the backing Tinubu is receiving from governors as an elite consensus that would yield positive results.

He also thanked the president for appointing three substantive ministers from Ondo State.