The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November governorship election in Ondo State, Hon. Agboola Ajayi on Tuesday rejected the judgment of the state Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Ajayi, consequently vowed to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The tribunal, sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital had on Wednesday June 4, 2025, upheld the victory of the All Progressives Congress candidate (APC) and the governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dismissing the PDP’s petition for lack of sufficient evidence.
In an unanimous judgment, the three-member panel comprising Justice Imelda Etiape, Justice Daurabu Sikkam and Justice Benson Ogubu, dismissed the petitions filed against the victory of the Governor, his Deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, All Progressives Congress (APC), and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In the judgement delivered in a capacity-filled court, the justices held that the petitions were worthless and unmeritorious and were accordingly dismissed.
Led by Justice Benson Ogubu, the tribunal ruled that the petitions were incompetent, lacked merit, not diligent and frivolous.
However, the PDP candidate, in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Akure, said the ruling of the Tribunal did not accord proper analysis to details of the evidences and exhibits submitted to it.
According to him, “Due cognisance and rapt attention has been accorded to the kernel on which the Honourable Justices based their findings and conclusion, which in our opinion did not accorded proper analysis to details of the evidences and exhibits submitted to Tribunal while it sat.”
Ajayi further stated that, “To say the very least, we feel disappointed that we didn’t get justice at that level, but we remain undeterred and undiscouraged in our search to ensure that justice is not only served in this matter, but also ensure that honesty begins to prevail in our election process.’
“Therefore, we restate our conclusion to vitiate our rights and desires towards advancing our commitment to the legal process by appealing the judgement of the Tribunal at the Court of Appeal.
“This we do in spite of the obvious challenges that the Judiciary faces in Nigeria at this particular period; including prevailing views that suggest the unportability of justice in our nation, we remain irrevocably committed to leaving no stone unturned in getting justice in this matter, because laws, particularly electoral laws are no mere decorations, but meant to be obeyed at every cost, or else our democracy remains a mere mockery, totally unworthy of celebration as it is earmarked to be celebrated on June 12th,” Ajayi said.
He, however, urged his party members and supporters “not to be weary, even in spite of the fact that APC came to the Court on judgement day last week in a celebratory mood indicative of a prior knowledge of the verdict to be delivered, justice shall reign in our State and Nation. The struggle for justice certainly continues.”
