Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has commend Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its performance during the last Saturday’s governorship and State Assembly elections in Ogun State.
The epic governorship election threw up Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate; Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and Senator Ibikunle Amosun backed – insurance guru; Barr. Olubiyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the major contenders.
When the gubernatorial war ended, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Oyebode Adebowale, who is the Returning Officer for Ogun State governorship poll, declared Dapo Abiodun the winner.
In declaring him winner, Prof.Adebowale said that Abiodun “having satisfied the requirements of the law is the winner and hereby declared as Governor – elect.”
The governor polled APC – 276,298
to beat his main challenger, PDP’S Adebutu who recorded 262,383 votes. Olubiyi Otegbeye of the ADC polled 94,754
Registeredvoters stands 2,688,305
Accredited voters 666506
Total valid votes -645,133
Total void votes -18,835
Total votes cast – 663,968
Reacting to the election and its outcome, lauded the INEC for the early commencement of the polls in majority of the polling centres, wards and local governments as well as the speedy transmission of results in most of the constituencies in the state.
The State Chairman of IPAC and People’s Redemption Party State Chairman, Mr. Samson Okusanya, gave the commendation in Abeokuta while briefing newsmen.
The chairman, who specifically commended INEC for the early mobilisation of both human and material resources at various polling units across the state, said the last governorship election was better organised than the previous elections.
He noted with delight how the early transmission of results from most of the polling booths in the state helped to validate the integrity of the electoral exercise.
“We commend INEC for early commencement of voting in majority of the polling units in Ogun State. We also commend INEC for the early transmission of results in most of the constituencies in the state.
But the organisation frowned on the conduct of the Governorship candidate of People’s Democratic Party, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, saying that his conduct during and after the poll is inimical to the peace of the State.
While congratulating Prince Dapo Abiodun on his re-election, he warned the PDP and ADC candidates to tow the line of honour by seeking the legal means rather than engaging in street protests or inciting the public against the constituted authority.
IPAC stated: “We congratulate the winners Prince Dapo Abiodun, his victory is a refreshing one to every common man.
We want to make this known to Nigerians that everything as stipulated by the Electoral Act has come to play.
“It is a very serious development in the political terrain of Nigeria, so we thank the political actors and the electorate for the successful conduct of the elections, ” IPAC said.
