June 04, (THEWILL) – The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akure on Wednesday upheld the election of Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, affirming his victory in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial poll.
The three-member panel, chaired by Justice Benson Ogubu, dismissed all petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, as well as those filed by other opposition parties.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on November 17, 2024, declared Ayedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election after he secured 366,781 votes, defeating his closest rivals.
However, dissatisfied with the outcome, Ajayi and other parties—including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and African Alliance (AA)—approached the tribunal, alleging widespread irregularities and seeking the nullification of the election.
Delivering its judgment, the tribunal held that the petitioners failed to prove the allegations of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act. It ruled that the claims lacked merit and subsequently dismissed all petitions.
With the tribunal’s ruling, Governor Ayedatiwa’s election has been officially upheld, solidifying his mandate as the duly elected Governor of Ondo State.
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