The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday presented Certificates of Return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Dr. Adelami Olayide, following their victory in the governorship election held on November 16.
The presentation ceremony, held in Abuja, was conducted by Prof. Kunle Ajayi, INEC’s Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State. Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured a resounding win, amassing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 117,845 votes. The APC dominated all 18 local government areas, solidifying Aiyedatiwa’s re-election as governor.
In his acceptance speech, Aiyedatiwa expressed profound gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their overwhelming support and pledged to exceed their expectations during his second term.
“With your overwhelming votes across the 18 LGAs, you have renewed my mandate and placed on me the responsibility to serve you even better than before,” he stated.
He extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for creating an equitable environment for all political parties during the election and commended the efforts of stakeholders who contributed to the peaceful process. Additionally, Aiyedatiwa acknowledged INEC for conducting what he described as a “free, fair, transparent, credible, and inclusive election.”
Prof. Ajayi also praised the people of Ondo State for their peaceful conduct throughout the electoral process. He highlighted the absence of significant violence during the polls as a testament to the maturity and commitment of the state’s electorate. Ajayi urged the governor-elect and his deputy to honour the trust reposed in them by upholding democratic principles and delivering good governance to the people of the state.
The event drew attendance from an array of notable figures, including APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, and several political leaders from Ondo State.
While the APC celebrated its electoral victory, the PDP and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi, continued to pursue a legal challenge that could have significant ramifications for the election’s outcome. On the same day as the certificate presentation, the Federal High Court in Akure heard arguments in the case questioning the eligibility of Dr. Olayide Adelami, the deputy governor-elect, to contest the election.
The PDP’s legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mr. M. Ndoka, alleged that Adelami’s academic credentials were riddled with discrepancies, citing instances of “multiple conflicting and irreconcilable names.” The names in question include “Adelami Owolabi Jackson” and “Olaide Owolabi Adelami,” which the plaintiffs argue could indicate fraud or misrepresentation.
The opposition party further contended that these inconsistencies render Adelami ineligible to contest under the APC platform. They are seeking the court’s intervention to disqualify both Adelami and Aiyedatiwa, which would nullify the APC’s victory.
The PDP also highlighted the alleged violations as an affront to the integrity of the electoral process and urged the court to protect democratic values by enforcing strict adherence to electoral laws.
The case, originally filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, was later transferred to the Akure division for continuation. Justice Toyin Adegoke, who presided over the hearing, listened to arguments from both sides and announced that the judgement would be delivered at a later date to be communicated to the parties involved.
The legal challenge has cast a shadow over Aiyedatiwa’s victory, with political analysts speculating on the potential outcomes of the case. Should the court rule in favour of the PDP, it could lead to the disqualification of the APC candidates, paving the way for a significant political changes in Ondo State.
Despite the uncertainty, APC leaders remain optimistic, dismissing the PDP’s claims as baseless and politically motivated. Speaking on the matter, a spokesperson for the party stated, “We are confident that the judiciary will uphold the will of the people and dismiss these unfounded allegations.”
For now, the focus remains on the court’s final judgment, which will determine whether the APC can proceed with its mandate uninterrupted or if the PDP’s legal challenge will alter the political landscape of the Sunshine State.
