The All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed a sweeping victory in the Ogun State Local Government elections, securing all 20 chairmanship seats and 236 councillorship wards, cementing its dominance in the state’s political landscape.
The announcement was made by Babatunde Osibodu, Chairman of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC), during a live broadcast on Sunday morning from the commission’s headquarters in Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
Osibodu declared that the APC had won across all local government areas in the state, underscoring the party’s unbroken hold on political power in Ogun State.
“A total of 613,156 votes were cast in the chairmanship elections across the 20 local government areas,” Osibodu said, highlighting the massive turnout despite criticisms surrounding the electoral process.
The election saw participation from 19 political parties, including smaller parties like the Accord Party, African Action Congress, and Labour Party, alongside major contenders such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
But despite the high number of participating parties, the APC emerged victorious in every contest, an outcome that raised eyebrows and triggered opposition backlash.
However, opposition parties were quick to reject the results, citing various issues that allegedly marred the credibility of the elections.
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Ogun State, Femi Aina, called into question the integrity of the election, accusing the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) of misconduct.
“There were serious issues with the election process. OGSIEC has questions to answer. Why were people allowed to vote with business cards? Why were there inadequate ballot papers and late arrivals of election officials?” Aina asked.
In his strongly worded statement, Aina further described the election as a “corrupt exercise” and demanded that the Ogun State House of Assembly summon OGSIEC officials to account for the chaotic conduct of the elections. He concluded by declaring that the NNPP rejected the election results entirely due to what they deemed an unfair process.
The Labour Party, led by its Ogun State chairman Lookman Jagun, also expressed dissatisfaction with the election process. Jagun dismissed the results as a “sham” and questioned the legitimacy of the election, echoing concerns raised by other opposition groups.
“We completely reject any results declared in this sham of an election,” Jagun said. “Even the good people of Ogun State have expressed their opinions on radio and television that there was no election in the state.”
Jagun further called on OGSIEC to annul the election and acknowledged that failure to do so would result in legal challenges. “If they fail to cancel the election, we will take the necessary steps to challenge this charade in court,” he warned.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary in Ogun State, Dr. Sunday Solarin, was critical of the election, describing it as a “sham.” Solarin accused APC thugs of intimidating opposition party members, alleging that the ruling party had used violence to suppress dissenting voices during the election.
The rejection of the election results has set the stage for a tense political battle, with opposition parties threatening legal action if their concerns are not addressed. Despite the mounting controversy, the APC remains steadfast in its claims of victory, with party supporters celebrating their unchallenged dominance in the state’s local governance.
The Ogun LG elections, although hailed by the APC as a testament to their widespread support, have drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties who believe the election was marred by irregularities. The calls for the annulment of the results reflect the deep divisions in the state’s political landscape, with many feeling the election was neither free nor fair.
The Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission now faces intense scrutiny as it seeks to defend the legitimacy of the elections amid rising concerns of electoral malpractice. OGSIEC has yet to respond publicly to the accusations of misconduct, but the pressure on the commission to address the allegations is mounting.
For the APC, however, this election victory represents a significant political achievement, underscoring their continued control over Ogun State. Party leaders have expressed confidence that the election results are a clear reflection of the people’s will, despite the fierce opposition from rival parties.
With opposition parties vowing to pursue legal challenges, it remains to be seen whether the election results will stand. The outcome of this legal battle could have broader implications for the political landscape in Ogun State, potentially setting the tone for the 2025 general elections.
