Supreme Court affirms Lucky Aiyedatiwa as Governor of Ondo state 

Justice Lawal Garba delivered the lead judgement of the apex court while dismissing the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi.

Naijaonpoint previously reported that Aiyedatiwa was inaugurated two weeks ago as the governor of Ondo State, officially commencing his first full four-year term after stepping into office following the passing of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in 2023.

He subsequently emerged victorious in the November 16, 2024, governorship election, defeating his main opponent from the PDP, Hon. Agboola Ajayi.

He was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, having achieved an unprecedented victory in all 18 local government areas of the state.

Aiyedatiwa won with over 366,000 votes, defeating his main rival and former deputy governor Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party who came second with 117,000 votes.

But the governor faced legal battles from Agboola from the Federal High Court up to the Supreme Court.

At the appeal court, Agboola promoted the allegations of forgery, perjury and impersonation against Aiyedatiwa, urging the appeal court to declare Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, a nullity.

But the appeal court dismissed the appeal, agreeing with the Federal High Court that Agboola’s case was not properly commenced and constituted in line with relevant laws.

Passing the apex court verdict on Tuesday, Garba held that the court cannot delve into the  “internal affair of the defendant’s party”, regarding Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy.

Aiyedatiwa took the oath of office at approximately 12:59 p.m., moments after his deputy, Olayide Adelami, was also sworn in, two weeks back.

Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reaffirms the party’s stronghold in the state.

On January 24, 2024, he dissolved the State Executive Council as part of efforts to reposition his administration.

Before the dissolution, the cabinet had been polarised following the feud between Mr Aiyedatiwa and Mr Akeredolu before the latter died in office.

Aiyedatiwa is Ondo State’s 5th democratically elected governor since 1976.