Appeal Court affirms Aiyedatiwa’s election as Ondo Governor

The Federal Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State Capital, has affirmed the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the APC candidate in the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, a three-member panel of the court struck out different appeals challenging Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

Aiyedatiwa, who contested under the APC, was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 366,781 votes and winning across all 18 local government areas.

He defeated his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The appellate court’s decision follows earlier legal victories for Aiyedatiwa.

On June 4, 2025, the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed multiple petitions challenging his election, including one filed by Ajayi, who alleged widespread irregularities.

The tribunal, chaired by Justice Benson Ogubu, also struck out similar petitions from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and African Alliance (AA), affirming Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.