INEC Returning Officer, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, said Mimiko scored 260,199 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Chief Olusola Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who got 155,961 votes.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) got 143,512 votes in the election conducted in 18 local government areas.
Daramola, who is the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), declared Mimiko, who is the incumbent governor, as the winner of the election having fulfilled the constitutional requirements for the victory.
Mimiko, in the result declared by Daramola, won 13 local governments while the PDP won two local governments with higher votes than the ACN which won three local governments with lesser votes.
The university don said: “I, Prof Adebiyi Daramola, was the Returning Officer of the governorship election held on October 20. That Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko scored the largest number of votes and having satisfied the constitutional requirements is hereby declared the winner of the election.”
This announcement sent LP supporters into wild jubilations and the opposition ACN and PDP protesting the outcome of the election.
The Director-General of Olusola Oke Campaign Organisation, Dr Dare Bada, said the result is a charade which would not stand the test of time saying there was heavy manipulation of the vote by electoral umpire.
Bada, in his prepared text, said: “We have taken due cognizance of the results of the October 20 elections and our immediate reaction is that the party will set up a team of professional investigators to understudy the conduct of the elections and make their reports available within fifteen days after which the party will now take a decision on its next line of action.
“We take serious exception to the fact that election was not conducted in two wards in Ilaje Local Government and other areas across the state.
This unlawful disenfranchisement of voters through the negligence of INEC is most inexcusable. This is aside the curious cancellation of results in forty two polling units in Ilaje and the manner votes were calculated in several Local Governments to arrive at the figures INEC gave as its final results.
“Provisionally, we declare that this election is marred by irregularities and if after our findings, we discover that the extent is massive, we will certainly seek redress at the Election Petitions Tribunal.”
According to Bada, there was delay in the supply of voting materials to areas where the party was strong while the same gesture was not extended to the area where the LP was popular.
Bada cited some wards, including Mahin ward 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 5. It also included Ugbo ward three where INEC official were absent and Arogbo ward 3.
But the governor expressed his appreciation on behalf of the people of the state to President Goodluck Jonathan for honouring his pledge to conduct a credible poll in the state.
Mimiko, who addressed hundreds of supporters, who trooped to the garden in front of the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure to rejoice with him, said the poll conduct had raised the hope of a better future for the country.
The governor, who dedicated his victory to all lovers of democracy across the globe, described the election as free, fair and highly credible.
He urged his fellow contestants to join hands with him in the great task of building the state to an enviable status among its peers not only in the country but in the world at large.
He pledged to work harder more than ever before in appreciation of the show of love and great support extended to him by the electorate both young and old, who defied the scorching sun on Saturday, to cast their votes for him.
Mimiko said: “I commend every resident of our dear great state for counting me worthy of leading them as governor for another four years.
“I promise to break the jinx of non-performing second term governors by ensuring that we complete all on-going projects and initiate new ones for the benefit of our people.
“There will be more markets, job opportunities, mega schools, quality healthcare, favourable environment for commerce and trade.
“I will continue to work for you. I will not disappoint you. I will not let you down but please let all of sustain the peace that we are all enjoying in the state by shunning any form of violence,” he said.
National Chairman of LP, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said Mimiko’s victory at the poll had established the fact that the LP had done well for the people of the state in the last three and a half years.
Others, who were at the Government House for the celebration included National Assembly members, state lawmakers, commissioners, other political office holders and members of the public.
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, said the results of the election had shown that the people of the state would not allow a foreigner to dictate to them their leader.
His words: “The agent of foreign god had been defeated in the state for good. The governor had promised to consolidate on his achievements in the last three and half years”.
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