Appeal Court Upholds Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Election,Dismisses PDP, ADC Petitions

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has, on Thursday, July 31, 2025, affirmed the victory of Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, as the duly elected Governor and Deputy Governor of Ondo State. The judgment brings a decisive end to the legal contest that followed the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial polls in the state.

A panel of three Justices—Justice Nimpar Yargata, Justice K.I. Amadi, and Justice I.M. Sani—unanimously dismissed appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Social Democratic Party (SDP). The appellants had sought to overturn the June 4, 2025, ruling of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which previously upheld the mandate given to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket.

In their ruling, the Justices held that the opposition parties failed to substantiate allegations of widespread irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. According to the court, the petitioners could not demonstrate how their claims impacted results across polling units, wards, and local government areas. No credible witnesses were presented at the tribunal to support allegations of electoral malpractice, leading the court to describe the cases as “abandoned.”

Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the tribunal’s decision and awarded costs of N1.5million against the appellants in favor of the APC.

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Reacting to the verdict, Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed profound gratitude to God, the judiciary, and the people of Ondo State. He described the ruling as “a welcome development” and “a reaffirmation of the will of over 366,000 residents” who cast their votes for him as the state’s seventh democratically elected governor.

“I give glory to Almighty God who orchestrated this journey and used the good people of Ondo State. The mandate given to us last November was validated not only by the tribunal, but has now been unanimously upheld by the Appeal Court. The judiciary has confirmed the choice made by the majority of voters across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated.

He also commended his legal team, his deputy, APC leaders, and the electorate for their steadfast support throughout the legal battle. The governor called for unity and urged his opponents to join hands in advancing the state’s progress and prosperity.