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Election Storm in Ondo: Shettima, APC in Final Push as PDP Cries Rigging Plot!"

By Achimi Muktar

The stage is set in Ondo State as the All Progressives Congress (APC) pulls out all the stops for its grand finale rally today, led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside party heavyweights including the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and several governors. The rally, scheduled at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, marks the final push ahead of Saturday’s governorship election where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa seeks a fresh mandate.

Amid this political carnival, tension is brewing as the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarming allegations of a rigging plot orchestrated by the APC. The Ondo PDP, in a fiery statement, claims the ruling party has infiltrated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by inserting APC loyalists as polling officers to sway the election.

Felix Morka, the APC's National Publicity Secretary, confirmed the rally details, expressing confidence in the overwhelming support for Aiyedatiwa, while PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, accused the APC of plotting to rig the election with untrained loyalists posing as INEC officials. However, APC spokesperson Alex Kalejaiye dismissed the claims as baseless, declaring that Aiyedatiwa’s performance and public goodwill will secure his victory without underhanded tactics.

As the APC's massive rally kicks off, political watchers are closely monitoring the growing tension. With both parties hurling accusations, all eyes are on Saturday’s election to see whether democracy or controversy will reign supreme in Ondo.

Meanwhile, former Vice President and PDP leader, Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his full support behind the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, urging Ondo voters to reject the APC, accusing it of bringing hardship to the people. Atiku, echoing fears of electoral malpractice, warned INEC and other stakeholders to ensure a free and fair election, calling for vigilance from PDP supporters.

The election, involving 17 parties, promises to be a test of strength for both major contenders as Ondo braces for a showdown that could shape the state's future for years to come.

As the campaigns climax, the people of Ondo must now decide—continuity or change?

As Ondo gears up for Saturday’s high-stakes election, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP. While the APC banks on Aiyedatiwa’s incumbency and the support of top political figures like Vice President Shettima and Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the PDP hopes that a backlash against the ruling party’s governance will tilt the scales in favor of their candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

Governor Aiyedatiwa's supporters have rallied behind his administration’s “stomach infrastructure” approach, a euphemism for ensuring that immediate economic benefits reach the grassroots. Tokunbo Ajasin, son of the late Ondo governor Adekunle Ajasin, expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s victory, pointing to the lack of a strong opposition as a critical factor. “The PDP is fractured,” Ajasin remarked, “and there’s no real contest here. The people know that Aiyedatiwa can deliver what they need, and that’s enough to secure a win.”

On the other side of the political divide, PDP’s Agboola Ajayi is receiving a boost from the party’s national leadership, with former VP Atiku Abubakar actively rallying support. Atiku framed the election as a choice between hardship under APC rule and a chance for prosperity with Ajayi at the helm. In a fiery message, Atiku warned against any attempt to rig the election, calling on the people of Ondo to turn out in droves to prevent any manipulation. "When the tide is high, it becomes too big to rig," he declared, urging vigilance.

Meanwhile, in the midst of the political slugfest, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has stepped in to calm the waters, calling on all political players to prioritize peace before, during, and after the election. IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Dantalle, reminded politicians that leadership is about service, not self-interest, and called for INEC and security agencies to remain neutral. "Elections are not wars," Dantalle said, emphasizing the need for fair play and a level playing field for all candidates.

As election day approaches, voters and political observers alike are waiting to see how these intense last-minute campaigns will influence the outcome. With the APC rolling out its big guns and the PDP warning of underhand tactics, the election promises to be both a test of political influence and the resilience of Ondo’s democracy.

In the final hours leading up to the vote, the atmosphere in the state is electric, filled with rallies, accusations, and counter-accusations. Political analysts suggest that Ondo’s decision could serve as a bellwether for upcoming elections across Nigeria, reflecting the electorate's mood toward the ruling party and its challengers.

As the campaign dust settles, one thing is clear: Saturday’s election will not just determine the next governor of Ondo State—it will also be a litmus test for Nigeria’s democratic integrity. Will the APC's show of strength and incumbency win the day, or will the PDP's promises of change and prosperity turn the tide? Only the voters of Ondo can decide.