Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Emergence Of Ajayi As Senatorial Candidate

he Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, yesterday dismissed the suit challenging the election of former deputy governor of Ondo State, Alfred Agboola Ajayi, as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ondo South senatorial district.

Senator Nicholas Tofowomo dragged the former Deputy Governor before the court following the outcome of the primary which he lost to Ajayi.

At the keenly contested primary, Tofowomo scored 74 while Ajayi defeated him with 78 votes.

Not satisfied with the result of the primary election Tofowomo through his counsel, Mr. Femi Emodamori challenged the outcome of the primary election and equally accused him of alleged acts of perjury and education scandal.

In suit number: FHC/CS/AK/ 83 /2022 filed on July 5, 2022, the plaintiff prayed to the court to nullify the former deputy governor’s nomination because controversial academic records were presented by Ajayi for the election.

According to Tofowomo, Ajayi lied on oath in his form, which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for clearance for the poll.

He maintained that Agboola did not meet the constitutional requirements for contesting the 2023 general election as contained in the interpretation and application of Section 66 (1) (i) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 29(5) & (6) of the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as other relevant laws.