The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken a second recess after announcing results from two additional Local Government Areas (LGAs), bringing the total declared to 15.
With these results, the All Progressives Congress (APC) maintains a strong lead across all announced LGAs, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) trails in second place.
Collation officer Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi explained that the recess was necessary to allow for the arrival of results from the remaining LGAs, which are located far from Akure, the state capital.
“We will reconvene at 12 noon. The two remaining LGAs, Ilaje and Ese Odo, are quite distant, so we need to allow time for their results to arrive. We’ll resume at 12,” Prof. Akinwunmi stated.
The 15 LGAs announced so far include Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South, Akure North, and Okitipupa. The three yet to be announced are Ilaje, Odigbo, and Ese Odo.
Controversy arose in Idanre, where the PDP agent alleged irregularities, including vote-buying, ballot box snatching, and no election in certain areas. He requested that the collation officer reject the results from the LGA.
Meanwhile, INEC National Commissioner Prof. Kunle Ajayi, speaking to Channels Television in Akure before the collation began, assured the public that the winner would be declared by 6 a.m. at the latest.
“I can assure you that we won’t leave here until the winner is declared. We will stay until the results from the last LGA are in. I am confident that everything will be concluded by 6 a.m.,” Prof. Ajayi stated.