AKURE, Nigeria — The Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, affirmed the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing multiple petitions challenging the outcome of the Saturday, November 16, 2024 governorship election.
The tribunal, sitting in Akure, ruled that the petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA) lacked merit and failed to present credible evidence.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Benson Ogubu, the panel found that allegations of academic certificate forgery, over-voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act were not substantiated.
Ogubu said the claims made by the APM and SDP were speculative and devoid of probative value.
On the petition filed by the Action Alliance, the tribunal held that the party lacked the legal standing to challenge the election, having not fielded a candidate.
Claims of vote buying and electoral malpractices were also dismissed for want of credible evidence.
Reacting to the decision, Governor Aiyedatiwa hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and the will of the people.
“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,” he said.
He described the victory as belonging not just to the APC, but to over 366,000 voters across the state’s 18 local government areas who gave him the mandate.
“So, I am delighted and happy; I, myself, my deputy and the chairman are happy; we are grateful to God,” he told reporters.
The governor also extended an olive branch to opposition parties, saying their ideas would be welcomed in efforts to move the state forward.
Meanwhile, the PDP’s counsel, Olujimi Oluseye, said his party respects the judgment but plans to explore its constitutional right of appeal.
“We respect the judges, but we must not forget that it didn’t go in our favour. Our clients have a constitutional right to seek redress,” he said.
“We are going to apply for the certified true copy of the judgment and study it before deciding on next steps.”
