The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment today in the appeal filed by Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who is challenging the victory of Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024, governorship election.
Ajayi had sought to nullify Aiyedatiwa’s victory, accusing the Governor’s deputy, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, of forgery, impersonation, and using a false identity. However, both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal dismissed Ajayi’s case on procedural grounds, upholding Aiyedatiwa’s win.
Ajayi’s legal challenge, filed on June 7, 2024, claimed that Adelami’s eligibility was compromised due to the alleged falsification of documents. The case was transferred to Akure, where the defendants, including Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and INEC, argued that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to bring the suit and that the filing exceeded the 14-day window for such cases.
On December 2, 2024, the Federal High Court dismissed Ajayi’s case, ruling that the criminal accusations of forgery required more substantial evidence, which could not be presented through an originating summons. The court also deemed the petition “statute-barred,” as it was filed after the constitutionally mandated deadline. This decision was unanimously upheld by the Court of Appeal on January 18, 2025, with a ₦500,000 fine imposed on Ajayi.
In the Supreme Court hearing held on February 25, 2025, senior legal counsels debated over the technicalities of the case. Ajayi’s legal team, led by Ahmed Raji, SAN, argued that the lower courts had made errors in their rulings, while Aiyedatiwa’s defense, represented by Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, and others, urged the court to maintain the appellate courts’ decisions.
The Supreme Court, in a five-member panel, will now decide whether to overturn Aiyedatiwa’s victory, which saw him secure 366,781 votes against Ajayi’s 117,845, sweeping all 18 local government areas.
The ruling, expected by 2 PM today, will mark the conclusion of a nearly nine-month-long legal battle and ultimately determine the future leadership of Ondo State.
