The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the Ondo governorship election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the verdict of the election petition tribunal, which upheld the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress.
In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Ajayi vowed to appeal the rulling.
On Wednesday, the tribunal dismissed Mr Ajayi’s petitions, challenging the outcome of the election.
A three-member panel led by Justice Benson Ogubu upheld the election of Mr Aiyedatiwa, who was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission with 366,781 votes, defeating the PDP candidate who polled 117,845 votes.
The tribunal dismissed Mr Ajayi’s petition for lacking merit and held that the candidate of the PDP “failed woefully” to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of electoral irregularities and over-voting.
Following the verdict, Mr Ajayi said a thorough review of the tribunal’s judgment showed “glaring inconsistencies” in the treatment of critical evidence and exhibits tendered during the proceedings.
“Due cognisance and rapt attention has been accorded to the kernel on which the Honourable Justices based their findings and conclusion, which in our opinion did not accord proper analysis to details of the evidences and exhibits submitted to tribunal while it sat.
“Thus to say the very least, we feel disappointed that we didn’t get justice at that level, but we remain undeterred and undiscouraged in our search to ensure that justice is not only served in this matter, but also ensure that honesty begins to prevail in our election process.
“Therefore, we restate our conclusion to vitiate our rights and desires towards advancing our commitment to the legal process by appealing the judgement of the Tribunal at the Court of Appeal,” Mr Ajayi said.
He expressed concern at how the APC representatives arrived at the court on the day of the judgment in a celebratory mood, claiming that the action suggested a prior knowledge of the verdict.
“We are aware of prevailing concerns about the integrity of the justice system in Nigeria, especially in politically sensitive cases. Yet, we remain resolute. Electoral laws are not symbolic—they must be obeyed. Our democracy deserves better. We will leave no stone unturned in seeking redress. Justice shall reign, both in our state and across our nation,” he stated.
Last week, Mr Aiyedatiwa extended an olive branch to Mr Ajayi and other opposition parties in Ondo.
