CDD-EAC Pre-Election Statement for the 16 November 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election
Press Statement
13 November 2024
As Ondo State prepares for its gubernatorial election on 16 November, 2024, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa) calls on all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process. Following closely after the Edo State polls, this election serves as a crucial opportunity to reinforce democratic principles and set a positive precedent for future elections in Nigeria.
Our recent briefing paper, A Tale of Two Deputies: Reviewing the Political Terrain of the 2024 Ondo Governorship Election, outlines the complexities of Ondo’s electoral landscape. The analysis highlights several challenges, including the effect of zoning, the strategic roles of deputy candidates, and the potential for violence and misinformation to affect the outcome.
To support a fair electoral process, CDD has deployed a comprehensive team of 90 technical observers along with 14 information disorder observers to monitor polling activities and report on election conduct. This team is backed by information disorder analysts, data clerks, reviewers and seasoned election analysts chaired by Professor Adele Jinadu. CDD-West Africa will effectively monitor the Ondo election, closely observing the pre-election atmosphere as well as Election Day activities to evaluate adherence to national and international standards. Through impartial, timely reporting, CDD aims to promote transparency and support an election outcome that genuinely reflects the will of the people.
Incumbency and Economic Challenges
Yet, as the governorship election draws closer, specific events have raised concerns about the potential misuse of incumbency powers at the state and federal levels. At the state level, these issues include restriction of access to campaign venues and alleged intimidation of opposition parties by state security forces. For instance, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) accused the Aiyedatiwa administration of denying them access to Akure’s Democracy Park for their 15 October 2024 campaign launch. There are also questions around the background and qualification of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Toyin Babalola, who has been accused of being an APC card-carrying member and being a citizen of Ondo State.
Insecurity
A security analysis of the upcoming election underscores the need for vigilance, with Ondo’s history of violence from non-state actors such as cult groups, political thugs, and criminal syndicates engaged in kidnapping and armed robbery. Rural areas also face risks from farmer-herder conflicts. In 2020, CDD-West Africa documented 34 instances of election-related violence in Ondo between August and October, 12 of which occurred during campaign rallies. Although the 2024 pre-election period has been relatively calm, largely due to a more collegial atmosphere and a perceived uncompetitive race, historical trends of election violence should not be overlooked. CDD-West Africa hopes for a sustained calm atmosphere in Ondo State and calls on security agencies to ensure that voters are able to exercise their civic duties without fear or intimidation.
Impassivity and Voter Apathy
Amidst general concerns about governance expressed by the citizens against the ruling APC, the opposition parties are struggling to communicate their vision to the citizenry, prompting fears about low a default to voter turnout or abstention. CDD-West Africa will closely monitor how the situation may affect the final outcome of election. The lack of citizens’ motivation to take part in the civic process is as worrying as it is dangerous. Leaders need decisive and popular mandates to carry out necessary interventions. Likewise, an increasingly civic-minded electorate will ensure leaders are held to account.
As Ondo State’s citizens prepare to head to the polls on Saturday, it is necessary to underscore that htis election is expected to serve as a key step towards a more inclusive and peaceful democratic landscape in Nigeria.To this extent, CDD-West Africa extends its warmest wishes, and encourages all to fulfil their civic responsibilities with renewed confidence. It trusts that active communication from electoral stakeholders will help prevent any incidents of voter apathy or suppression, and create a secure and conducive environment for all participants. It expects INEC to live up to its mandate and responsibility. CDD-West Africa remains committed to rigorous monitoring and reporting of all aspects of the process to ensure a transparent, fair, and accountable electoral outcome. This commitment explains why it is domiciling its Electoral Analysis Centre (EAC) with a team of seasoned professionals who will be ensuring a robust observation and analysis of the entire process.
Signed
Dauda Garuba, PhD
Director, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa)