On Monday, October 11, 1965, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola was declared winner of the Western Region parliamentary election.
It was learned that the Electoral Commission announced that Akintola’s Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) had won a clear majority of seats in the Western Region House of Assembly.
According to the official figures, the NNDP secured 49 of the seats, forming a majority to govern the Region.
Chief Akintola, speaking to supporters at his Ibadan residence late Monday, expressed gratitude to voters and pledged to restore stability and economic growth to the Western Region.
The Action Group, led by Mr. Dauda Adegbenro, has rejected the results, alleging rigging, intimidation and ballot stuffing in several constituencies.
In a statement released by the party, Mr. Adegbenro said the election was “neither free nor fair” and accused NNDP supporters of violent intimidation at polling stations across Oyo and Ilesa divisions.
Reports of civil disorder emerged from Ibadan, Ilesa and Abeokuta through Monday night. In Ibadan, groups of youths clashed near the city market, throwing stones and burning tyres. Police fired warning shots to disperse crowds gathered along Dugbe.
The Governor of the Western Region, Sir Adesoji Aderemi, called for calm and restraint following Monday’s election.
