BREAKING: Supreme Court Upholds Aiyedatiwa’s Election, Dismisses PDP and Ajayi’s Petition

The Supreme Court has rejected the bid by the PDP and Agboola Ajayi to nullify Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s election in Ondo State. This ruling solidifies his mandate.

The Supreme Court has rejected the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Agboola Ajayi. The appeal contested Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility to run in the governorship election on November 16, 2024.

On Tuesday, the highest court dismissed the appeal, deeming it baseless, frivolous, and lacking merit.

Justice Garba Lawal, in delivering the lead judgment, upheld the concurrent decisions of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal regarding the contested qualifications, thereby dismissing the case.

Ajayi aimed to invalidate Aiyedatiwa’s win, alleging that the governor’s deputy, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, engaged in forgery, impersonation, and identity fraud.

Nevertheless, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal both rejected Ajayi’s case due to procedural issues, thereby affirming Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

Ajayi’s legal challenge, submitted on June 7, 2024, alleged that Adelami’s eligibility was compromised due to purportedly falsified documents.

During the initial proceedings, the defendants—Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, along with the APC and INEC—contended that Ajayi did not have the legal authority to file the suit and that it was submitted beyond the 14-day time limit for these cases.

On December 2, 2024, the Federal High Court rejected Ajayi’s case. The court determined that the criminal charges of forgery needed more substantial evidence than what could be provided through an originating summons.

The court also ruled the petition “statute-barred” because it was submitted past the constitutionally specified deadline.

The Court of Appeal unanimously upheld this decision on January 18, 2025, imposing a fine of N500,000 on Ajayi.

The recent ruling by the highest court has resolved the prolonged legal dispute regarding the Ondo State governorship election.