By ALABA OLUSOLA OKE

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reacted to the judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal that upheld his victory in the Nov. 16, 2024 governorship election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tribunal on Wednesday affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s election and dismissed the petitions filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi.

The three-member panel headed by Justice Benson Ogbu dismissed the petitions for lack of merit.

Aiyedatiwa, who spoke to journalists after the judgment, said that some political parties thought they could steal his mandate through the back door.

“Some political parties thought that they can steal the mandate through the back door, but today, the judiciary has confirmed the decision of the majority of indigenes and residents of Ondo State.

“So, I am delighted and happy; I, myself, my deputy and the chairman of our happy, we are grateful to God,” he said.

The governor, therefore, extended the hand of fellowship to oppositions in the state, stating that their ideas would contribute to the development of the state.

NAN also reports that other petitions dismissed by the tribunal are that of Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Mr Abdullahi Olowokere; and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Chief Bamidele Akingboye.

Others are the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Mr Adeyemi Nejo. (NAN)