Supreme Court Judgment; Ayo Ajana Congratulates Gov Aiyedatiwa
The Chairman Akoko South West Local Government, Hon. Ayo Ajana has congratulated Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy following their vctorty from the Supreme Court.
In chat with The Focus Magazine, Hon. Ajana commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for his vision for the good people of Ondo State.
In a chat with The Focus, Ayo Ajana described the Supreme Court judgment as a powerful affirmation of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s steadfast devotion to the people of Ondo State.
He emphasized that the ruling underscores the Governor’s continued dedication to his people and his resolve to lead the state toward greater prosperity.
He expressed his optimism that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration would remain free from legal distractions, allowing him to focus on the essential work of state-building and development.
He further expressed confidence that this judgment would only strengthen the Governor’s determination to create a brighter future for the people of Ondo State.
The Supreme Court ruled on the legal challenge filed by former Ondo State Deputy Governor and PDP gubernatorial candidate in the November 16, 2024 election, Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi.
The court dismissed the appeal, affirming the legality of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami.
The Supreme Court ruled that the appellants, including Ajayi, lacked the legal standing to pursue the case, declaring the appeal unsustainable.
Additionally, the court upheld the decisions of the lower courts, emphasizing that the cause of action—relating to the submission of nomination forms to INEC on May 20, 2024 was statute-barred.
The appellants had filed their suit at the Federal High Court on June 7, 2024, well beyond the 14-day limit prescribed by law.
The court dismissed the appeal and ordered Agboola Ajayi to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the four respondents.
Ajayi had sought to nullify the election of Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami over alleged discrepancies in his name change, as well as challenge the legitimacy of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s election and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajayi had argued that Adelami’s change of middle name from “Jackson” to “Owolabi” without proper documentation rendered him ineligible. However, the Supreme Court found no legal basis for disqualifying the deputy governor, emphasizing that name changes, when properly documented, do not constitute grounds for electoral fraud.
