Judgment Day Looms for Ondo Gov, PDP Candidate, Others as Tribunal Rules June 4

The Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment on June 4.

This decision comes after the three-man panel, led by Justice Benson Ogbu, concluded hearing arguments from all parties involved in the petitions challenging the November 16, 2024 governorship poll.

The announcement was made on Saturday in Akure, the state capital, following the adoption of final written addresses.

The tribunal, which commenced proceedings on January 31, 2025, has been addressing five petitions that seek to nullify the election results.

These petitioners argue that the election did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had previously declared Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election. Justices Imelda Etape and Sikka Duarabo are the other members of the tribunal.

The petitioners are Action Alliance (AA) and its candidate, Mr Abdullahi Olowokere; and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, Chief Bamidele Akingboye.

Others are: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr Agboola Ajayi; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Mr. Adeyemi Nejo.

The respondents are APC, Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Mr Olayide Adelami; and INEC.

Mr. Ishaka Dikko and Mr. Bankole Akomolafe, the PDP’s counsel, argued that the election was marred by substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act and asked the tribunal to void Aiyedatiwa’s certificate of return.

Persecondnews recalls that Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Adelami and the INEC had urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.

The respondents, represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Mr. Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Mr Charles Edosomwan, had also urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions for lack of merit.