The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by Agboola Ajayi, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the election of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the governor of Ondo State.
The ruling affirms Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the November 16, 2024, election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajayi’s appeal centered on claims that Aiyedatiwa’s running mate, Olayide Adelami, was ineligible due to allegations of certificate forgery and impersonation. However, the five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, unanimously ruled that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to challenge the APC primary, as he was not a party member.
The court further ruled that the case was statute-barred since it was filed outside the 14-day window stipulated by law for election-related disputes.
Previously, the Federal High Court in Akure had dismissed Ajayi’s case, citing procedural flaws in how he filed his allegations of forgery and perjury. The Court of Appeal upheld this decision, imposing a fine on Ajayi.
The Supreme Court’s verdict further solidifies Aiyedatiwa’s position as the duly elected governor of Ondo State, ordering Ajayi to pay N2 million in fines to each of the four respondents, including Aiyedatiwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
This ruling marks the final judicial decision on the matter, closing the door on Ajayi’s legal battle against the Ondo State election results.
