The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has upheld the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the November 16, 2024, governorship election, dismissing all five petitions challenging the outcome as speculative and lacking credible evidence.
Delivering a unanimous judgment on Wednesday in Akure, the three-member tribunal led by Justice Benson Ogbu ruled that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of over-voting, electoral fraud, or non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 beyond reasonable doubt.
Justices Imelda Etiape and Daurabu Sikkam concurred with the lead judgment, affirming Aiyedatiwa’s win under the All Progressives Congress as valid and lawful.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared Aiyedatiwa winner after he polled the highest number of votes in the contest.
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The petitioners — including Action Alliance, Social Democratic Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, and African Democratic Congress — had sought nullification of the results on grounds ranging from vote buying and exclusion from the ballot to alleged forged academic credentials and electoral malpractices.
But the tribunal dismissed each of the claims:
AA’s petition was struck out for lack of locus standi, with the tribunal noting the party had no candidate on the ballot, and any disagreement over its representation should have been filed in a high court as a pre-election matter.
APM’s petition alleging corrupt practices was deemed “inconsequential” due to lack of supporting material evidence.
SDP and PDP’s petitions alleging over-voting, forgery, and result falsification were thrown out for failure to provide credible witnesses or verified documents.
ADC’s petition, which failed to tie alleged malpractices to any specific polling unit, was dismissed as baseless.
The tribunal also rejected PDP’s allegations that Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami presented forged qualifications, stating that it was a pre-election issue already decided by the Supreme Court.
In dismissing all the petitions, the tribunal emphasized that elections are won through verifiable votes and facts, not “public opinion or propaganda.” It warned against wasting judicial time and public funds on frivolous election litigations.
Governor Aiyedatiwa and his legal team welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for democracy and the people of Ondo State.
NAN
