The Court of Appeal in Akure has upheld the election of Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and Dr. Olayide Adelami as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State. The ruling came on Thursday, July 31, 2025, following the dismissal of appeals filed by several political parties against the judgment of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal. The tribunal had earlier affirmed the election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates on June 4, 2025.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Social Development Party (SDP) had filed appeals, seeking to invalidate the November 16, 2024, governorship election. However, the three justices, Justice Nimpar Yargata, Justice K.I. Amadi, and Justice I.M. Sani, unanimously dismissed the appeals for lack of merit.
The appellants failed to substantiate their claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and did not show how their allegations affected the election results in various polling units, wards, and local government areas.
The appellate court ruled that the parties abandoned their cases, as they did not present credible witnesses to back up their claims of widespread irregularities. The court affirmed the tribunal’s judgments and declared Dr. Aiyedatiwa and Dr. Adelami as the elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State. The appellants were ordered to pay N1.5 million in costs.
Governor Aiyedatiwa welcomed the judgment, praising the Appeal Court justices for their thorough review of the cases and their unanimous rulings. He expressed gratitude to God and the people of Ondo State, emphasizing that the court’s decision reaffirmed the will of the voters.
“I give glory to Almighty God who orchestrated this journey from the beginning and used the good people of Ondo State. Over 366,000 residents gave us their mandate on November 16 last year to continue governing this state as the seventh democratically elected governor,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also thanked his deputy, his legal team, and APC leaders and members for their support.
