Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been declared the winner of the state’s governorship election held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Aiyedatiwa’s victory after he secured the majority of votes in all 18 Local Government Areas of the state. Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, garnered a total of 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 117,845 votes.

Announcing the results at the State Collation Centre in Akure, the State Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, declared Aiyedatiwa as the governor-elect.

“I, Professor Olayemi Durotimi Akinwumi, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the 2024 Ondo State governorship election held on the 16th of November, 2024. That Aiyedatiwa Lucky Orimisan of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and governor-elect,” Akinwumi said.

The election recorded a total of 508,963 votes cast, with 497,077 valid votes and 11,886 rejected ballots.

Aiyedatiwa’s victory was decisive, sweeping all 18 local councils, including Idanre Local Government, the hometown of PDP’s deputy governorship candidate, Mr. Festus Akingbaso.

Despite some allegations of irregularities by the PDP, including claims of ballot snatching and intimidation in certain polling units, the collation process concluded with party agents, including those of the PDP, signing the result sheet.