The Supreme Court has validated the victory of Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
Nigeria’s apex court gave the verdict, which laid to test the prolonged legal dispute over the election, shortly after the state’s former Deputy Governor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the election, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, formally withdrew his petition.
Also, the five-member panel, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, dismissed the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bamidele Akingboye, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, Ogunfeyimi Kolawole.
Akingboye and the SDP’d counsel informed the court of the intention to withdraw their appeal following the death of the appellant. Counsel for the respondents did not object to the withdrawal.
The opposition parties had earlier approached the tribunal and the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the state capital, to challenge Aiyedatiwa’s election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while declaring Aiyedatiwa winner of the poll, disclosed that he won in all 18 local government areas of the state.
Aiyedatiwa, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rival, Ajayi of the PDP, overwhelmingly.
The Court of Appeal in July affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s election, following earlier legal victories in his favour.
On June 4, 2025, the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed multiple petitions challenging his victory, including one filed by Ajayi, who alleged widespread irregularities. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Benson Ogubu, also struck out similar petitions from the SDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Alliance (AA), thereby affirming Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.
Earlier, on March 11, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a separate appeal filed by Ajayi challenging Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, ruling that the case was filed out of time. The court also held that Ajayi, not being a member of the APC, lacked the legal standing to challenge the party’s internal affairs, including the qualification of Aiyedatiwa’s running mate.
Delivering Wednesday’s judgment, Justice Garba Lawal dismissed the appeal for lacking merit, describing it as baseless and frivolous. The court also awarded costs of N2 million against Ajayi, payable to each of the four respondents.
This ruling has finally solidified Aiyedatiwa’s position as the rightful winner of the November 2024 governorship election.
Reacting, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State described its victory at the Supreme Court over the 2024 governorship election as the final endorsement of the people’s mandate.
In a statement issued by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, on Wednesday, the APC congratulated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Dr. Olade Adelami, party leaders, and the people of the Sunshine State on the legal triumph.
The State Chairman of the party, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, applauded the judgment, noting that it reaffirmed the confidence reposed in the party by the electorate. He further commended the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies for their roles while the case lasted.
The apex court on Wednesday dismissed the petitions filed by three opposition parties challenging the APC’s victory. The lead petitioner, Hon. Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), had earlier withdrawn his appeal before the ruling. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) also lost out in their respective cases.
The APC, while urging the opposition parties to accept the verdict in good faith, called on them to join hands with the Aiyedatiwa-led administration in its efforts to revamp critical sectors and boost the state’s economy.
Meanwhile, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has dedicated the victory to the people of Ondo State and hailed the judiciary from the tribunal to the Supreme Court for handling the cases with utmost commitment to justice.
The Governor commended the parties for their decision to withdraw the appeals, urging them to join hands with his administration to move the state forward.
