THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the March 18 gubernatorial election in Ogun State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the incumbent, Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election.

However, PDP said it observed “with concern” that the result as declared by INEC is completely at variance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Guidelines issued by the Commission for the conduct of the election.

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, March 26.

Ologunagba said INEC did not consider the cancelled votes and the margin between the APC and PDP about the number of permanent voter cards collected in areas where the election did not hold.

He described the state election as a gross violation of the law.

“It is instructive for INEC to note that with the cancelled votes, the margin of lead between Mr Adedapo Abiodun of the APC and the PDP governorship Candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu is not in excess of the total number of permanent voters cards (PVCs) collected in polling units where election did not hold or cancelled by INEC, citing disruption of polls.

“Whereas the number of permanent voters cards (PVCs) collected in places where elections were not held or cancelled is 33,750, the margin of lead between the two candidates as announced by INEC returning officer is 13,915, thereby invalidating the declaration and return made by INEC.

“In such circumstance, Section 24 (3) (4) of the Electoral Act, 2022 expressly mandates INEC to appoint a new date for the conduct of the polls in the polling units where the election did not hold or cancelled before any return can be made.

“The hurried declaration of the APC candidate by the INEC returning officer as the winner is. Therefore, a declaration made contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, regulations and guidelines stipulated by INEC for the election.

“In a situation such as this, the only option available to INEC is to exercise its powers under Section 65 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 to review the wrongful declaration and return made within seven days,” the PDP spokesperson said.

Abiodun was declared winner of the governorship election with 276,298 votes.

His closest rival, Oladipupo Adebutu, candidate of the PDP, came second with 262,383 votes.