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From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
The Court of Appeal in Akure has upheld the election of Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami. It also dismissed an appeal challenging the validity of the APC primary that selected Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as the party’s candidates.
The unanimous judgment, delivered by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, affirmed the Federal High Court’s earlier ruling. Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke had dismissed a suit by Mr Gbenga Edema, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) governorship candidate, on procedural grounds, noting the suit became incompetent after the NNPP withdrew, leaving Edema without legal standing.
Edema, through his counsel Mr Abayomi Ojo, sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Aiyedatiwa and Adelami’s nomination, citing breaches in the APC primary under Section 15 of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). After the dismissal, Edema appealed.
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All respondents, including INEC, APC, Aiyedatiwa, and Adelami, urged the court to dismiss the appeal as meritless and an abuse of court process. The appellate court agreed, ruling against Edema and awarding ₦1 million in costs to each respondent.
Remi Olatubora SAN, counsel to the Deputy Governor, welcomed the judgment. “This is a case of an individual who contested under NNPP but is challenging the APC candidate’s victory. Our laws should not permit such cases. Justice has prevailed,” he said.
Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo SAN, praised the court’s diligence. “The people spoke clearly. This is not a time for endless litigation but a time to unite and move Ondo State forward,” he said.
