The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal began its official sitting on Friday at the Akure Division of the State High Court, marking the start of proceedings to review the results of the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial election.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have filed petitions challenging the election’s outcome, which led to the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The petitions also include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as respondents in the case.
PDP governorship candidate Agboola Ajayi, through his counsel Ishaka Dikko (SAN), is contesting Aiyedatiwa’s victory, arguing that the election results were not a true reflection of the people’s will.
The SDP and ADC also joined in seeking to overturn the election results, claiming that Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olaide Adelami, were not qualified to run for office.
In their responses, the respondents stated that the issue of the candidates’ qualifications had already been addressed by both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal and urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.
During the pre-trial conference, all parties agreed to present a total of 149 witnesses.
The PDP plans to call 43 witnesses, INEC 19, Aiyedatiwa 32, and the APC and Adelami will each call 20 and 35 witnesses, respectively.
Tribunal Chairman Justice Benson Ogubu, who is leading the panel, called for cooperation from all parties involved and assured a fair and just trial.
The tribunal has adjourned to February 10, 2025, for further proceedings.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who attended the inaugural sitting alongside his deputy, expressed confidence in the tribunal’s outcome.
He reaffirmed that the election was free, fair, and credible, highlighting that he won in all 18 local government areas of Ondo State, a first in the state’s history.
Aiyedatiwa emphasized that his presence at the tribunal was to observe the proceedings, stating, “There’s nothing to worry about.”
