Court Affirms Aiyedatiwa's Win in Ondo's Governorship Contest
In a significant ruling, the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has affirmed the election of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the duly elected governor of the state.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won the governorship election held on November 16, 2024, with a total of 366,781 votes and victories in all 18 local government areas of the state [1][2][3].
The Court of Appeal's ruling, delivered on Thursday, dismissed appeals filed against Aiyedatiwa's victory. This upholds the earlier decision of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which on June 4, 2025, also dismissed multiple petitions challenging his election on grounds of alleged irregularities [1][2][3].
The tribunal, led by Justice Benson Ogubu, struck out petitions filed by his main opponent, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties including the SDP, ADC, APM, and AA, affirming Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.
The Supreme Court had earlier, on March 11, 2025, dismissed a separate suit by Ajayi challenging Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, ruling that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to interfere in APC’s internal affairs and that the suit was filed out of time [1][2].
Agboola Ajayi proceeded to the Court of Appeal seeking to overturn the tribunal's decision, but the three-member panel of the Appeal court led by Justice Yargata Nimpar unanimously ruled in favor of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The panel described Ajayi's appeal as devoid of merit [1][2].
With this ruling, the Court of Appeal's decision marks a significant victory for the APC and Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration. The decision is expected to have implications for future election disputes in Nigeria, as it sets a precedent for upholding the validity of election results in the face of legal challenges.
The Court of Appeal's ruling further solidifies the political landscape in Ondo State, with Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration set to continue for the remainder of its term. The Federal Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has thus upheld Lucky Aiyedatiwa's victory as the governor of Ondo State.
[1] Ondo State Governorship Election: Court of Appeal Upholds Aiyedatiwa's Victory
[2] Agboola Ajayi's Appeal Against Aiyedatiwa's Election Dismissed by Court of Appeal
[3] Lucky Aiyedatiwa Remains Ondo Governor as Court of Appeal Dismisses Ajayi's Appeal
- The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria has secured a significant win following the Court of Appeal's affirmation of Lucky Aiyedatiwa's governorship election, which was held on November 16, 2024.
- The People Democratic Party (PDP) and several other opposition parties, including SDP, ADC, APM, and AA, had contested Aiyedatiwa's election, alleging irregularities, but their appeals were dismissed by both the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
- Opponent Agboola Ajayi, from the PDP, proceeded to challenge the Court of Appeal's decision, but the Supreme Court had previously dismissed a separate suit by Ajayi, stating that he lacked the legal standing to interfere in APC's internal affairs and that the suit was filed out of time.
- In Nigeria's political landscape, this Court of Appeal's decision could set a precedent in future election disputes, by upholding the validity of election results in the face of legal challenges.
- Migration patterns may be influenced by the stability in Ondo State's political landscape, as Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration, now with uncontested victory, will continue for the remainder of its term, potentially reducing incidences of war-and-conflicts or violence that might arise from contested elections.
- Policies and legislation crafted by Lucky Aiyedatiwa's administration in Ondo State will play a vital role in shaping the collective future of the people of the state, in areas such as infrastructure, education, economy, and general news, helping to foster progress and growth within Nigeria as a whole.
