Ondo Guber Poll: PDP’s Candidate Ajayi Withdraws Appeal From Supreme Court

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 2024 governorship election in Ondo State, Hon. Ajayi Alfred Agboola has withdrawn his appeal before the Supreme Court.

In a letter dated September 16, 2025, and addressed to the Chief Registrar of the apex court, Agboola acknowledged his awareness of the appeal filed on his behalf against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others.

The Appeal Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, had upheld the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the winner of the November 16, 2024, governorship election conducted by INEC.

In a judgment delivered by a panel of judges, Justice Nimpar Yargata, Justice K.I. Amadi, and Justice I.M. Sani, on the appeal brought before the court by the PDP, its candidate Ajayi, and other political parties, the appellate court unanimously struck out the appeals for failing to substantiate claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

The justices held that the appellants failed to prove their allegations against the election, as they did not demonstrate how their claims affected the election in the various polling units, wards, and local government areas where the election took place.

Recall that the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had on June 4, 2025, affirmed the election of the APC candidate.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the PDP, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Social Development Party (SDP) filed appeals against the tribunal’s judgment, seeking the invalidation of the governorship election.

However, after what he described as “thoughtful discussions with family, party members, associates, and legal advisers,” Ajayi resolved to discontinue the case at the Supreme Court.

“As the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, I have engaged in thoughtful discussions with my family, party members, associates, and legal advisors. After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I’m by this letter, so do.

“Having served as the former deputy governor and as a representative of my constituents at the national level, my foremost commitment is to the principles of good governance and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and across Nigeria.

“In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the State and National development,” Ajayi said.