Ondo State Governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Ayedatiwa, has secured a lead in the ongoing governorship election, winning in 13 local government areas (LGAs) announced so far.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the collation exercise began around 12:10 a.m. on Sunday and is being overseen by Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University in Lokoja, Kogi State, who is the State Returning Officer.

Among the early results, Ayedatiwa clinched victories in major LGAs, including Idanre Local Government, the home base of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship running mate, Festus Akingbaso.

The results collated so far includes:
Ifedore LGA: APC – 14,157, PDP – 5,897

Ondo East LGA: APC – 8,163, PDP – 2,843

Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo LGA: APC – 16,600, PDP – 4,442

Idanre LGA: APC – 9,114, PDP – 8,940

Irele LGA: APC – 17,117, PDP – 6,601

Akoko South West LGA: APC – 29,700, PDP – 5,517

Owo LGA: APC – 31,914, PDP – 4,740

Ondo West LGA: APC – 20,755, PDP – 6,387

Akoko South East LGA: APC – 12,140, PDP – 2,692

Akoko North West LGA: APC – 25,010, PDP – 5,502

Ose LGA: APC – 16,555, PDP – 4,472

Akure South LGA: APC – 32,969, PDP – 17,926

Akoko North East LGA: APC – 25,657, PDP – 5,072

In Idanre, however, a PDP agent alleged that there was no voting in the Ofosun Oniseri area and claimed ballot snatching occurred at Alade.

The agent called for the exclusion of votes from the ward in the final tally.

Following the release of results from 13 LGAs, Prof. Akinwumi announced that collation would resume at 5 a.m. for the remaining five LGAs.

The election results are still being eagerly awaited as the process unfolds.