The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the duly elected governor of the state, dismissing appeals filed against his victory in the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

Aiyedatiwa, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 366,781 votes and securing victory across all 18 local government areas of the state.

His closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had challenged the outcome, citing widespread irregularities.

The appellate court’s ruling reaffirms the earlier decision of the Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which on June 4, 2025, dismissed multiple petitions against Aiyedatiwa’s election. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Benson Ogubu, struck out suits filed not only by Ajayi but also by other parties including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), and African Alliance (AA), affirming Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.

The latest judgment marks yet another legal victory for the governor. On March 11, 2025, the Supreme Court had dismissed a separate suit by Ajayi challenging Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. The apex court ruled that Ajayi, not being a member of the APC, lacked the locus standi to interfere in the party’s internal affairs, including issues surrounding the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa’s running mate. It also held that the case was filed out of time.