PDP’s Agboola Ajayi withdraws supreme court appeal against Aiyedatiwa’s election

Agboola Ajayi, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 Ondo election, has withdrawn his appeal challenging the election of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor of the state.

In July, the court of appeal in Akure affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s election. Not satisfied with the judgement, Ajayi proceeded to the apex court to seek redress.

Aiyedatiwa was declared winner of the election after polling 366,781 votes to defeat Ajayi who scored a 117,845 votes.

On December 11, 2024, Ajayi filed a petition at the Ondo state election petition tribunal challenging the outcome of the poll.

On June 4, the tribunal dismissed Ajayi’s petition as well as other petitions filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA) against Aiyedatiwa for “lack of merit and insufficient evidence”.

Dissatisfied, Ajayi and the other parties went before the court of appeal.

However, upholding the tribunal’s verdict, the appellate court struck out the appeals for not substantiating their claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

But in a letter dated September 16, and addressed to the chief registrar of the supreme court, Ajayi made a decision to withdraw the appeal.

The former PDP governorship candidate did not mention the main reason for his action, but noted that he had consulted the stakeholders who had consented to the move.

“I am the appellant in the above appeal, and I write to inform you that I am aware of the appeal that has been filed on my behalf concerning the recent gubernatorial election in Ondo state,” the letter reads. 

“As the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, I have engaged in thoughtful discussions with my family, party members, associates, and legal advisors. After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I’m signing this letter to do so.

“Having served as the former Deputy Governor and as a representative of my constituents at the national level, my foremost commitment is to the principles of good governance and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and across Nigeria.

“In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Alyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the State and National development. Thank you for your understanding and attention to this matter. I trust that my position will be respectfully acknowledged.”

Reacting to the development, Aiyedatiwa described the withdrawal and dismissal of the appeals as unprecedented in Ondo’s political history.

“Today, at the Supreme Court, Abuja, I secured the final legal victory on the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State,” he wrote on X.

“The court dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) case following its withdrawal by the appellant, Hon. Agboola Ajayi.

“All other cases — SDP and APM — were also dismissed due to the oral application of withdrawal by the appellants’ lawyers. This is unprecedented. All glory to God Almighty.”