The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State has raised concerns over alleged plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rig the upcoming governorship election using fraudulent voter registers.
SDP’s governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye, popularly known as OBA, claimed that fake voter registers were produced by a private printing press under the instruction of some political state appointees.
Addressing journalists in Akure, Otunba Akingboye alleged that two political appointees, Otunba Olugbenga and Dr. Olagundoye, were involved in arranging the printing of these documents.
He further claimed that “election mercenaries” had been brought into the state by the APC, allegedly stationed in secret locations to influence the election results.
“We have information that certain people are stationed somewhere to manipulate BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System), making it responsive to votes for APC but rejecting those for SDP,” Akingboye alleged.
In response to these claims, he urged security agencies to conduct a swift investigation to prevent the use of these purported fake registers and to thwart the activities of the so-called election mercenaries.
Otunba Akingboye also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain impartiality. He emphasized the importance of a credible election, stating, “When we met at the stakeholders’ meeting in Akure, I specifically told the INEC Chairman, the REC, and security chiefs present that this election lies in their hands, and they should do the right thing. Ondo people value fairness and won’t accept any form of manipulation.”
Expressing optimism, Akingboye voiced confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law and democracy, expecting the administration to uphold a fair and credible election in Ondo State.
Additionally, Akingboye noted a steady shift of APC youths to the SDP, attributing the trend to his track record and the SDP’s manifesto, which he believes resonate with the values of forward-thinking individuals.
He encouraged Ondo residents to resist money-driven politics and choose SDP for its promise to transform Ondo State into a commercial hub by leveraging its natural resources, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
