- Safiu Kehinde
The Supreme Court has ruled out the lawsuit filed by the 2024 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo governorship candidate, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, challenging the victory of the state’s governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, at the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.
Recall that Ajayi had challenged the legitimacy of Aiyedatiwa and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as he sought the nullification of the election.
He had also challenged the legibility of the Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami over alleged discrepancies in his name change.
According to report, Ajayi claimed that Adelami, who previously used “Jackson” as his middle name in secondary school, had changed it to “Owolabi” without proper documentation.
However, the Supreme Court ruled that properly documented name changes do not constitute electoral fraud or grounds for disqualification, thereby rejecting Ajayi’s argument.
The court, in its ruling, held that the appellants lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to pursue the case, making the appeal unsustainable.
It also ruled that the case was statute-barred, affirming the decisions of the lower courts.
The apex court also noted that the filing of the suit had exceeded the 14-day limit prescribed by law as the cause action arose on May 20, 2024, when the nomination forms were submitted to INEC, while the suit was filed at the Federal High Court on June 7, 2024.
Coupled with the dismissal of the appeal, Supreme Court ordered Ajayi to pay N2 million in costs to each of the four respondents.
In his reaction, the Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo ( SAN), lauded to judgement, describing it as “a victory for democracy, the rule of law, and the good people of Ondo State.”
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s victory, according to Ajulo, is a testament of perseverance and divine vindication, stating, “Just as truth always prevails over falsehood, justice has now been served.”
He praised the governor for maintaining a strong focus on governance despite distractions and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to Ondo State’s continued development.
“This is also a vindication and affirmation of the just ruling of the Federal High Court, Akure, Coram Hon Justice Oluwatoyin Adegoke, the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Akure, presided over by Hon. Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, Hon. Justice Hadiza Shagari and Justice Fadawu Umaru, these noble Justices demonstrated professionalism and integrity in their judgments, and it is now affirmed by the Supreme Court.
“I salute the esteemed Justices and commend the brilliant legal minds who stood firmly in defense of truth and justice. In particular, I acknowledge Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Charles Edosomwan, SAN, Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, and Remi Olatubora, SAN, for their exceptional advocacy, as well as the legal representatives of the appellants.
“As I have stated previously, the courtroom is a battleground for legal reasoning, and every advocate who argues a case contributes to strengthening our democracy. Justice is best served when all sides are heard, and I deeply respect their dedication to upholding the sanctity of the legal process,” Ajulo said.
Meanwhile, he stressed that electoral disputes should be based on concrete evidence rather than technicalities that do not undermine the credibility of an election.