2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2016 Ondo State gubernatorial election
Previous Year:2016
Next Election:2024 Ondo State gubernatorial election
Next Year:2024
Election Date:10 October 2020
Turnout:31.6% 1.85pp
Nominee1:Rotimi Akeredolu
Running Mate1:Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Party1:All Progressives Congress
Popular Vote1:292,830
Percentage1:51.1%
Nominee2:Eyitayo Jegede
Running Mate2:Gboluga Ikengboju
Party2:People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
Popular Vote2:195,791
Percentage2:34.2%
Running Mate3:Gboye Adegbenro
Party3:Zenith Labour Party
Popular Vote3:69,127
Percentage3:12.1%
Map Size:220px
Governor
Before Election:Rotimi Akeredolu
Before Party:All Progressives Congress
After Election:Rotimi Akeredolu
After Party:All Progressives Congress

The 2020 Ondo State gubernatorial election was held on 10 October 2020. Incumbent APC governor Rotimi Akeredolu won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Eyitayo Jegede, ZLP Agboola Ajayi and several minor party candidates.

Rotimi Akeredolu was the APC candidate.[1] He picked Lucky Aiyedatiwa as his running mate.[2]

Eyitayo Jegede was the PDP candidate with Gboluga Ikengboju as his running mate.[3] [4] Agboola Ajayi was the ZLP candidate with Gboye Adegbenro as his running mate.[5] [6] [7] [8] Adedapo Benjamin Adelegan stood in for ADC in the polls, while Dotun Ojon represented YPP.[9] 17 candidates contested in the election, all were male, while 2 of the deputy governorship candidates were female.[10]

Electoral system

The governor of Ondo State is elected using the plurality voting system.

Primary election

APC primary

The APC primary election was held on 20 July 2020. Rotimi Akeredolu, the incumbent governor won the primary election polling 2,725 votes against 7 other candidates. His closest rival was Olusola Oke, a former governorship aspirant in the state who came a distant second with 262 votes, while Isaac Kekemeke, came third with 19 votes.[11] [1]

Candidates

PDP primary

The PDP primary election was held on 22 July 2020. Eyitayo Jegede won the primary election polling 888 votes against 7 other candidates. His closest rival was Agboola Ajayi, deputy governor in the state who came second with 675 votes, while Eddy Olafeso, a former vice chairman of the party in the state came a distant third with 175 votes.[12] [3]

Candidates

Deputy governor. Lost in the primary election.

Results

A total of 17 candidates registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest in the election.[9] APC Governor Rotimi Akeredolu won re-election for a second term, defeating PDP Eyitayo Jegede, ZLP Agboola Ajayi and several minor party candidates. Akeredolu received 51.1% of the votes, Jegede received 34.2%, while Ajayi received 12.1%.[13]

The total number of registered voters in the state was 1,812,634 while 595,213 voters were accredited. Total number of votes cast was 591,193, while number of valid votes was 572,745. Rejected votes were 18,448.[13]

By local government area

Here are the results of the election by local government area for the two major parties. The total valid votes of 572,745 represents the 17 political parties that participated in the election.

Blue represents LGAs won by Akeredolu. Green represents LGAs won by Jegede.[14] [15]
CountyRotimi AkeredoluAPCEyitayo JegedePDPTotal Votes
%%
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" Ifedorebgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 9,350bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 44%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 11,852bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 56%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 21,202
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Ile Oluji/Okeigbobgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 13,278bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 59%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 9,231bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 41%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 22,509
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Irelebgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 12,643bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 69.7%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 5,493bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 30.3%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 18,136
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Akoko North-Eastbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 16,572bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 66.4%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 8,380bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 33.6%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 24,952
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Akoko South-Eastbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 21,232bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 58.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 15,055bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 41.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 36,287
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Akoko North-Westbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 15,809bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 60.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 10,320bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 39.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 26,129
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Ondo Eastbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 6,485bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 61.6%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 4,049bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 38.4%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 10,534
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" Akure Northbgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 9,546bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 43.8%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 12,263bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 56.2%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 21,809
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Owobgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 35,957bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 87.1%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 5,311bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 12.9%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 41,268
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Idanrebgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 11,286bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 60.1%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 7,499bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 39.9%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 18,785
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Akoko South-Eastbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 9,419bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 70.2%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 4,003bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 29.8%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 13,422
bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" Akure Southbgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 17,277bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 26.6%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 47,627bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 73.4%bgcolor=#90EE90 align="center" 64,904
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Osebgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 15,122bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 64.2%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 8,421bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 35.8%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 23,543
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Okitipupabgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 19,266bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 65%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 10,367bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 35%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 29,633
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Ondo Westbgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 15,977bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 60.1%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 10,627bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 39.9%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 26,604
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Odigbobgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 23,571bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 71.3%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 9,485bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 28.7%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 33,056
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Ilajebgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 26,657bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 70.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 11,128bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 29.5%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 37,785
bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" Ese Odobgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 13,383bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 74.1%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 4,680bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 25.9%bgcolor=#87BEEB align="center" 18,063
Totals292,83051.1%195,79134.2%572,745

Aftermath

Later in October, Jegede officially challenged the results at the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal based on four alleged issues: irregularities in the results, violence, intimidation of voters, and improper holding of the APC primary. This challenge was filed as Akeredolu had already set up a 25-member inaugural committee headed by Deputy Governor-elect Lucky Aiyedatiwa.[16] The Tribunal held first its proceedings on the case on November 4[17] and its inaugural sitting on December 8, which was met with considerable violence between APC and PDP supporters outside the High Court Complex.[18] After Akeredolu was sworn in for a second term in office on February 24, 2021,[19] the Tribunal reached an April 20 verdict in favor of Akeredolu by dismissing Jegede’s petition for lack of merit.[20]

After the verdict, Akeredolu told Jegede to join him in uniting Ondo and to avoid further litigation,[21] however, the Ondo State PDP said it would appeal the tribunal's decision.[22] The PDP appeal to the Court of Appeal in Akure failed as well with the court's Justice Theresa Orji-Abadua-led five-member panel dismissing their case.[23] however, the Ondo State PDP said it would appeal the tribunal's decision.[24] Nonetheless, the Ondo PDP immediately announced that they would appeal to the Supreme Court while Akeredolu once again called for Jegede to avoid litigation to unite the state and claimed that Jegede will lose at the Supreme Court as well.[25]

On 28 July 2021, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court upheld the decisions of the Court of Appeal and Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal in a 4-3 decision. The majority opinion stated that while Jegede may have been correct in that Mai Mala Buni was not legitimately the national APC Caretaker Chairman and thus could not nominate Akeredolu, since Jegede failed to name Buni in the appeal, it must be dismissed. The dissenting opinion held that since the APC itself was named in the case, the appeal could have been heard.[26] [27] [28] After the ruling, Jegede finally conceded while Akeredolu praised the judiciary and his legal team.[29] [30] The parties reacted similarly, with the APC commending the decision while the PDP stated its respect for the judiciary but claimed that the reason for the decision effectively vindicated their case.[31]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Akeredolu emerges APC governorship candidate, records landslide victory. Johnson. Dayo. 20 July 2020. 10 October 2020. Vanguard Newspaper.
  2. News: Ondo 2020: Akeredolu announces running mate. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 29 July 2020. 10 October 2020.
  3. Web site: Eyitayo Jegede emerges Ondo PDP governorship candidate, defeats deputy governor, Ajayi. Johnson. Dayo. 23 July 2020. 10 October 2020. Vanguard Newspaper.
  4. News: Ondo 2020: PDP’s Eyitayo Jegede picks federal lawmaker as running mate. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 17 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  5. News: Third force emerges in Ondo as Akeredolu’s Deputy, Ajayi declares for ZLP. Daily Post Nigeria. Abdul. Babajide. 14 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  6. News: Ondo 2020: Deputy Governor Ajayi picks Mimiko’s ally as running mate. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 17 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  7. News: Ondo 2020: Why I surrendered governorship ticket to Agboola Ajayi – ZLP candidate. Oluwole. Josiah. Premium Times. 16 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  8. News: Ondo 2020: ZLP clears Ondo Deputy Governor Ajayi. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 10 August 2020. 10 October 2020.
  9. News: Profiles: Know the candidates for Ondo 2020 election. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 9 October 2020. 10 October 2020.
  10. Web site: PROVISIONAL LIST OF CANDIDATES 2020 Governorship Election - Ondo State. 10 October 2020. inecnigeria.org.
  11. News: Ondo 2020: APC governorship primary commences. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 20 July 2020. 10 October 2020.
  12. News: Ondo 2020: Deputy governor, seven others battle for PDP ticket. Adejumo. Kabir. Premium Times. 22 July 2020. 10 October 2020.
  13. Web site: Declaration of Result to the Office of the Governor, Ondo State. 11 October 2020. Twitter.
  14. Web site: Final Collation Of Ondo Governorship Election Results. Channels TV. 11 October 2020.
  15. Web site: Akeredolu Defeats Jegede Again, Re-Elected As Governor. Akinola. Ajibola. Channels TV. 11 October 2020. 11 October 2020.
  16. Web site: Dada . Peter . Akeredolu’s aide mocks Jegede as PDP candidate heads for tribunal . . 17 June 2021.
  17. Web site: Dada . Peter . Tribunal grants substituted service on Akeredolu . . 17 June 2021.
  18. Web site: Dada . Peter . Many injured as APC, PDP supporters clash at tribunal in Ondo . . 17 June 2021.
  19. Web site: 2021-02-24. Governor Akeredolu of Ondo has just been sworn-in for a 2nd term in office. 2021-06-17. Pulse Nigeria.
  20. Web site: Dada . Peter . Ondo poll: Tribunal strikes out Jegede’s petition against Akeredolu . . 17 June 2021.
  21. Web site: Dada . Peter . Shun litigation, Akeredolu tells Jegede after tribunal victory . . 17 June 2021.
  22. Web site: Dada . Peter . PDP plans appeal as Ondo tribunal declares Akeredolu poll winner . . 17 June 2021.
  23. Web site: Dada . Peter . Shun litigation, Akeredolu tells Jegede after tribunal victory . . 17 June 2021.
  24. Web site: Dada . Peter . Appeal Court dismisses Jegede’s case against Akeredolu’s victory . . 17 June 2021.
  25. Web site: Dada . Peter . Ondo poll: I’ll defeat Jegede in Supreme Court, says Akeredolu . . 17 June 2021.
  26. Web site: Nwisagbo . Lesi . Supreme Court dismisses Jegede’s appeal against Akeredolu . . 29 July 2021.
  27. Web site: Nnochiri . Ikechukwu . [UPDATED]Ondo Gov Poll: In split judgment, S’Court affirms Akeredolu’s victory ]. . 29 July 2021.
  28. Web site: UPDATED: Supreme Court upholds Akeredolu’s victory . . 29 July 2021.
  29. Web site: Dada . Peter . Ondo: Jegede congratulates Akeredolu on Supreme Court victory . . 29 July 2021.
  30. Web site: Dada . Peter . Supreme Court: Let’s work for the upliftment of Ondo, Akeredolu tells Jegede . . 29 July 2021.
  31. Web site: Baiyewu . Leke . APC, PDP differ on Akeredolu’s Supreme Court victory over Jegede . . 29 July 2021.

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