By EMMANUELLA EKELE

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, said he withdrew the case after due consultation with members of the party.

The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

This followed the withdrawal of his appeal.

Ajayi, through his counsel, said he withdrew the case after due consultation with members of the PDP.

Ajayo, through his counsel, said he withdrew the case after due consultation with members of the PDP.

He extended his best wishes to Governor Aiyedatiwa and pledged to continue to work for the development of Ondo.

The five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro also dismissed the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bamidele Akingboye, and his Allied Peoples Movement (APM) counterpart, Ogunfeyimi Kolawole.

Counsel for Akingboye and the SDP had informed the court of the intention to withdraw the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

Counsel for the respondents did not object to the withdrawal.

The opposition parties had earlier approached the tribunal and the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the state capital, to challenge the election of Aiyedatiwa.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), while declaring Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the election, disclosed that he won in 18 local government areas of the state.

Aiyedatiwa, who contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 366,781 votes.

He defeated his closest rival, Ajayi of the PDP.

Court Of Appeal Victory

The Court of Appeal in July affirmed the election of Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024, governorship poll in the state.

The appellate court’s decision followed 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 SDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and African Alliance (AA), affirming Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.

Before then, on March 11, 2025, the Supreme Court dismissed a separate appeal filed by Ajayi challenging Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy.

The apex court ruled that the case was filed out of time and that Ajayi, not being a member of the APC, lacked the legal standing to contest the internal affairs of the party, including the qualifications of Aiyedatiwa’s running mate.(Channels)