The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has hailed Wednesday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing it as a final endorsement of the people’s mandate.
The apex court struck out appeals filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi, alongside two other opposition candidates, after their formal withdrawals. A five-member panel led by Justice Inyang Okoro dismissed the cases, ending months of litigation over the November 2024 governorship poll.
Ajayi, a former deputy governor of the state, said his decision followed wide consultations with PDP stakeholders. In a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, he explained that the move was taken in the interest of peace and stability in Ondo State.
Similarly, the appeals filed by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party, Bamidele Akingboye, and that of the Allied Peoples Movement, Ogunfeyimi Kolawole, were also withdrawn. Akingboye’s counsel said the decision became necessary following the death of his client.
Reacting to the judgment, the APC in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaiye, said the ruling confirmed the will of the electorate. The party’s chairman, Ade Adetimehin, congratulated Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Olade Adelami, party leaders, and the people of Ondo State on the victory.
“The APC in Ondo State has described its governorship election victory at the highest legal gamut as the final endorsement of the people’s mandate,” the statement read. It also commended the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and security agencies for their roles during the litigation process.
The party urged opposition parties to accept defeat and support the Aiyedatiwa administration’s efforts to reposition the state’s economy.
Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and later won the governorship election with 366,781 votes against Ajayi’s 117,845, had earlier secured victories at both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal before Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling.
