JUST IN: SUPREME COURT REJECTS PDP, AJAYI’S EFFORT TO OVERTURN AIYEDATIWA’S ELECTION

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The Supreme Court rejected the petition that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for governor, Agboola Ajayi, filed contesting Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility to run in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.

The appeal was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Tuesday due to its lack of substance, frivolity, and lack of foundation.

Justice Garba Lawal’s lead ruling dismissed the case, upholding the concurrent rulings of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal regarding the contested credentials.

Olayide Owolabi Adelami, the governor’s deputy, was accused by Ajayi of forgery, impersonation, and using a fictitious name in an attempt to void Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

On procedural grounds, however, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal rejected Ajayi’s case, maintaining Aiyedatiwa’s victory.

Ajayi’s lawsuit, which was submitted on June 7, 2024, asserted that Adelami’s eligibility was jeopardized because of purported document fraud.

Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and INEC were among the defendants who contended in the initial proceedings that Ajayi lacked the legal capacity to file the lawsuit and that the filing was made after the 14-day timeframe for such lawsuits.

The Federal High Court dismissed Ajayi’s case on December 2, 2024, stating that more substantial evidence was needed to support the criminal charges of forgery, and that proof could not be provided through an initial summons.

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