The Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Ayodele Olorunfemi, has expressed disappointment over his loss in Saturday’s election, pointing fingers at former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious, sweeping all 18 local government areas with 366,781 votes, defeating Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who garnered 117,845 votes.
Olorunfemi’s loss comes after a dramatic turn of events, where the Court of Appeal reinstated him as the Labour Party flag bearer, just days before the election. He initially thanked the court for upholding the truth but later revealed that his campaign was hindered by Obi and the NLC.
“I have Peter Obi and the NLC to thank for that. They have scuttled my aspirations and chances to win this Ondo election,” Olorunfemi said in an interview. “Their insistence on having Ebiseni on the ballot ruined everything for me.”
He also accused Ebiseni of forging his signature on a letter to the court, claiming he had withdrawn from the race. Olorunfemi vowed to petition the police to investigate this alleged forgery.
However, Prof Theophilus Ndubuaku, acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, dismissed Olorunfemi’s allegations, describing him as “a very funny character” who was merely a placeholder for the Labour Party ticket.
Ndubuaku claimed Olorunfemi attempted to sell the ticket to Ebiseni for N20m and was working indirectly with the APC. Efforts to reach Obi and Ebiseni for reactions were unsuccessful.
