The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, chaired by Justice Benson Ogubu, in Akure, will today deliver its verdict on the lawsuit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Agboola Ajayi, challenging the result of the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress polling a total of 366,781 votes to triumph over Ajayi and other contenders in the race.
Not satisfied with the outcome of the election, Ajayi and the PDP filed a lawsuit at the tribunal, calling for the cancellation of the election result.
Other political parties that approached the Tribunal challenging Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the governorship poll include the Social Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, the Allied Peoples’ Movement, African Alliance.
Recall that the Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the election of Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami.
The court dismissed a challenge brought against the legitimacy of the APC primary that produced their candidacies.
Delivering a unanimous decision, Justice Oyebisi Omoleye affirmed the earlier verdict of the Federal High Court, which threw out a suit filed by New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate, Olugbenga Edema, on procedural grounds.
Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the lower court previously ruled that Edema no longer had legal standing after the NNPP officially withdrew from the case, rendering the suit defective.
