Supreme Court Dismisses PDP’s Appeal Against Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa

Legal Battle Over Aiyedatiwa’s Eligibility Comes to an End

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, challenging the eligibility of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to contest the upcoming November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.

Delivering the lead judgment on Tuesday, Justice Garba Lawal upheld the rulings of the lower courts, affirming that Ajayi’s case lacked merit. The apex court’s verdict marks the end of the prolonged legal dispute over Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, solidifying his position in the race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Forgery Allegations and Court Rulings

Ajayi and the PDP had sought to disqualify Aiyedatiwa on the grounds that his running mate, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, was allegedly involved in forgery, impersonation, and document falsification. However, their case was repeatedly dismissed at different judicial levels.

The legal battle began on June 7, 2024, when Ajayi filed a suit naming Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants. The respondents countered that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to file the suit and that it was time-barred, as it exceeded the 14-day constitutional limit for pre-election disputes.

On December 2, 2024, the Federal High Court ruled against Ajayi, declaring that forgery allegations required substantial proof and could not be resolved via an originating summons. The court further held that the case was statute-barred and dismissed it accordingly.

Unrelenting, Ajayi proceeded to the Court of Appeal, but on January 18, 2025, the appellate court upheld the lower court’s decision and imposed a ₦500,000 fine on him for filing what it deemed a baseless suit.

Supreme Court: Case Lacked Merit

With the Supreme Court’s ruling, the case has now reached its final conclusion. The apex court, in a unanimous decision, declared that the appeal was frivolous, baseless, and devoid of merit.

Legal analysts note that this ruling not only affirms Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility but also reinforces the judiciary’s stance on procedural compliance in pre-election matters.

Political Implications in Ondo State

With this legal hurdle now cleared, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s campaign for re-election under the APC gains further momentum. His opponents, including Ajayi and the PDP, may need to shift their focus from legal battles to political strategies if they hope to challenge his bid at the polls.

As the Ondo State governorship election draws closer, all eyes will now be on the candidates as they intensify their campaigns ahead of the crucial vote on November 16, 2024.