The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Akure has dismissed all petitions challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the November 16, 2024, election.
Five opposition parties—Action Alliance (AA), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—had filed petitions contesting the outcome. However, the three-member panel led by Justice Benson Ogubu ruled the petitions “worthless and unmeritorious.”
In a judgment that lasted over eight hours, the tribunal struck out all claims of electoral malpractice and disqualification raised against Aiyedatiwa and his deputy.
The PDP’s candidate, Alfred Agboola Ajayi, had alleged that the deputy governor submitted a forged WAEC certificate with inconsistent names. But the tribunal ruled the issue had already been settled by the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, rendering it a pre-election matter outside its jurisdiction.
On allegations of widespread electoral malpractice, including the improper completion of Form EC25B in over 3,800 polling units, the tribunal held that the form does not mandate entry of serial numbers. It said only the quantity of materials is required, and that the petitioners failed to demonstrate irregularities.
Claims of over-voting were also dismissed, as the petitioners could not produce BVAS machines or data to support their accusations.
Reacting to the verdict, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed gratitude to God and the people of Ondo State for reaffirming his mandate.
“About 366,000-plus residents made a decision last November, and that decision has now been reaffirmed by the tribunal,” he said.
He called on opposition parties to join hands with his administration to develop the state, reiterating his openness to collaboration for progress across Ondo’s 18 local government areas.
