Labour Party wins Ondo by-election

Written by Daily Trust Tuesday, 03 August 2010

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Labour Party’s candidate, Mr. Kunle Odidi, winner of Saturday’s by-election into Ilaje state constituency II, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. Odidi polled 8,777 votes against Otitoju Atikase of the PDP who polled 6,907 votes.

Elections did not hold in some wards and units in Mahintedo as unknown gunmen attacked about 20 INEC staff. Meanwhile, the PDP has rejected the result of the election, saying it was not the true reflection of people’s wishes. Addressing a news conference in Akure yesterday, some leaders of the party led by former commissioner of information in the state, Olorogun Eddy Olafeso,  the PDP said the police colluded with the ruling Labour Party to rig the election.

“We condemn in strong terms the activities of the police during the re-run election. In fact, the police have been a catalyst for the successful rigging of all re-run elections in Ondo State’’, he said.

Public Relations Officer of the state police command ASP Adeniran Aremu said the role of the command was to make sure that security was provided, stressing that PDP should leave police out of the matter.

The Labour Party thanked people of the constituency for coming out to exercise their civic responsibility by voting. A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information Mr. Ranti Akerele commended the sense of duty and responsibility of the Nigerian Police and other law enforcement agencies for ensuring that electoral thieves and vote snatchers did not have their way during the election.