PDP may go to court to challenge Mimiko's victory

The people's Democratic Party, PDP in Ondo state has declared
that the Ondo state governorship election is "marred by
irregularities" and may go to court to challenge the results of the
election.

In a statement issued by PDP spokesman in the state Ayo Fadaka,
the party says it rejects results of Ilaje Ese Odo area which is
apparently the strong base of its candidate, Olusola Oke.

The statement partly reads: "Provisionally, we declare that this
election is marred by irregularities and if after our findings we
discover that the extent is massive, we will certainly seek redress at
the Election Petition Tribunal."

"The Party will set up a team of professional investigators to
understudy the conduct of the elections and make their reports
available within 15 days after which the party will now take a
decision on its next line of action."

"We take serious exception to the fact that election was not
conducted in two wards in Ilaje Local Government and other areas
across the state. This unlawful disenfranchisement of voters
through the negligence of INEC is most inexcusable."

Meanwhile, the Transitional Monitoring Group (TMG) has given the
conduct of the Ondo polls a pass mark. The group noted that
though there were few noticeable lapses but added that those
issues were not enough to discredit the entire process.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP) was yesterday
declared the winner of the governorship polls with 260,199 votes.
While PDP candidate Olusola Oke came second with 155,961 votes
and A C N's Rotimi Akeredolu came third with 143,512 votes.