By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Akure
AKURE: The legal battle seeking to upturn the candidacy of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in the 2024 governorship election has been laid to rest as the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure on Thursday dismissed the appeal filed by the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate, Olugbenga Edema.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, the appellate court upheld the earlier decision of the Federal High Court which ruled that Edema’s case lacked merit and legal standing after his party, the NNPP, withdrew from the suit. The court concluded that Edema acted alone and misused the court process in an attempt to invalidate the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami.
Edema had sought the nullification of the APC’s primary over alleged irregularities, anchoring his arguments on constitutional interpretations and asking the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reject Aiyedatiwa’s nomination. But the Appeal Court rejected his prayers and imposed a N1 million cost against him in favour of each respondent — Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, and INEC.
Reacting to the judgment, Remi Olatubora, SAN, counsel to the deputy governor, condemned the suit as a waste of judicial time. “You can imagine the amount of time we have expended litigating this matter at both the High Court and Appeal Court. Thankfully, justice has been done, and the matter is closed with cost awarded. It’s time our laws discourage this type of post-election litigation by opposition candidates who contested under different parties,” he said.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, described the ruling as a “resounding reaffirmation” of the will of the Ondo people. “This judgment is not just about legality — it’s a validation of the people’s choice. It’s time to stop the distractions and unite for the progress of our state,” he stated.
With the Appeal Court’s verdict, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s mandate stands reinforced, signaling a clear legal victory for the APC and a message to politicians that post-election courtroom maneuvers will not override electoral outcomes already endorsed by voters.