…As PDP, SDP withdraw appeals
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi, against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa election victory.
The dismissal of the appeal followed the withdrawal of Ajayi’s appeal. His lawyer told the Supreme Court he applied for withdrawal of the appeal after due consultation with members of the People Democratic Party(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 in the state had earlier approached the tribunal and the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, the state capital, challenging 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He defeated his closest rival, Ajayi of the PDP whose appeal was withdrawn as he conceded to the concurrent decisions of Ondo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
Recalled that on June 4, 2025, the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had dismissed multiple petitions challenging Gov Aiyedatiwa election, including one filed by Ajayi, who alleged widespread irregularities.
On it’s part, Court of Appeal in July affirmed the Tribunal’s judgement that uphold the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) verdict that Aiyedatiwa won the November 16, 2024, governorship poll in the state.