The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami.
Aiyedatiwa was declared the winner of the Ondo State governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in November 2024 and was sworn in February 2025.
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.
Edema, represented by his lawyer Abayomi Ojo, had petitioned the court to compel the INEC to cancel the nomination of Aiyedatiwa and Adelami, alleging irregularities in the APC’s primary process.
He had also urged the court to interpret Section 15 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in his favour.
After the Federal High Court rejected his claims, Edema took the matter to the Court of Appeal.
However, all respondents, including INEC, the APC, and the two elected officials— maintained that the appeal was baseless and an abuse of judicial process.
The appellate panel agreed, ruling unanimously against Edema and imposing a fine of ₦1 million on him for each of the respondents.
Reacting to the outcome, Remi Olatubora, counsel to the deputy governor, described the case as a misuse of court time.
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“It’s astonishing that someone who ran under a different party would challenge the victory of APC candidates. Thankfully, justice has been served,” he said.
Ondo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, also welcomed the judgment, applauding the judiciary’s commitment and reiterating that the verdict reflected the will of the people.
He added, “The electorate has spoken. What the state needs now is unity and progress, not endless court battles.”
