Agboola Ajayi, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 2024 Ondo governorship election, has formally withdrawn his appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
Gatekeepers News reports that Ajayi, who served as Ondo State’s former deputy Governor, had previously contested Aiyedatiwa’s win after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate victorious with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi, who polled 117,845 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, Ajayi filed a petition at the state election tribunal on December 11, 2024, but the case was dismissed on June 4, 2025, alongside similar petitions from the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA).
The tribunal ruled that the petitions lacked merit and did not provide sufficient evidence of irregularities. The Court of Appeal in Akure later upheld the tribunal’s judgment.
Still pursuing the matter, Ajayi approached the Supreme Court. However, in a letter dated September 16 and addressed to the Chief Registrar of the apex court, he announced the withdrawal of his appeal.
He explained that the decision was reached after wide consultations with his family, party leaders, associates, and legal advisers.
Ajayi wrote, “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 After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn.”
The PDP candidate added that his priority remained good governance and peaceful coexistence in Ondo State.
Ajayi further extended goodwill to Governor Aiyedatiwa, saying, “In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to state and national development.”
Reacting to the development, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the withdrawal and dismissal of the opposition appeals as a landmark moment in the state’s political history.
He said, “Today, at the Supreme Court, Abuja, I secured the final legal victory on the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State.”
“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.”
