Ajayi Moves to Contest Aiyedatiwa’s Victory in Ondo Governorship Election

Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 16 Ondo State governorship election, has filed a petition at the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal contesting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

This action comes 24 days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the election winner with 366,781 votes, while Ajayi secured 117,845 votes.

Speaking at the PDP Secretariat in Akure, Ajayi revealed that his legal team had submitted the petition, expressing hope for a favorable judgment. Although he refrained from disclosing the specifics of his petition, he criticized the election outcome, describing it as a “miscarriage and murder of democracy.”

Ajayi stated, “We thank Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election. However, after a thorough review, we express our dissatisfaction with the process and outcome. Claims that voters were compromised are unfounded; the people’s discontent reflects their dissatisfaction with the results declared by INEC, which we believe do not represent their will.”

The PDP candidate accused INEC of partiality despite previous warnings and legal actions to ensure neutrality. He urged the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act for greater transparency, citing alleged manipulation of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS).

Ajayi also called on the judiciary to uphold democracy, expressing optimism that the tribunal would deliver justice. “Ondo State deserves leaders chosen freely and fairly. We remain committed to restoring the integrity of our democracy,” he concluded.

Court Dismisses Ajayi’s Initial Suit

In a separate development, the Federal High Court in Akure dismissed Ajayi’s suit challenging Aiyedatiwa’s qualification to contest the election.

Justice Toyin Adegoke ruled that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to file the suit and had missed the 14-day deadline stipulated by the Electoral Act. The judge also noted procedural flaws in Ajayi’s filing, which was submitted as an originating summons rather than a writ of summons, further stripping the court of jurisdiction over the case.