The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2024 Ondo State election, Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the ruling of the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and pledged to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
The Tribunal, led by Justice Benson Ogubu, had on June 4, 2025, dismissed all petitions challenging Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s election victory from the November 16, 2024 poll. The panel ruled against cases brought by the PDP, Action Alliance (AA), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the petitions as “baseless and lacking merit.”
In his reaction, Ajayi criticized the judgment, stating it was riddled with “clear irregularities” in how critical pieces of evidence and documentation were evaluated. He maintained that the Tribunal failed to give due consideration to the substance of the case.
“While we respect the judiciary, we firmly reject this outcome. The decision does not reflect a fair assessment of the facts presented. We will pursue justice at the Appeal Court,” he said.
Ajayi emphasized that the PDP remained committed to upholding the rule of law despite the Tribunal ruling in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also raised concerns over what he perceived as premature celebrations by APC members, suggesting that some may have had prior knowledge of the verdict; a situation he called “concerning, but not discouraging.”
He urged PDP supporters across Ondo State and the nation to stay optimistic, assuring them that the legal fight for electoral justice was far from over. As the country prepares to mark Democracy Day on June 12, Ajayi reiterated that the PDP’s decision to appeal the ruling reflects its dedication to democratic principles and electoral integrity in Nigeria.
