Tribunal announces judgement date for Ondo governorship election

The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed June 4, 2025, to deliver judgement in the petitions filed against the November 16, 2024, governorship election in the state.

The three-man panel headed by Justice Benson Ogbu announced the date after all parties adopted their final written addresses in Akure on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Other members of the tribunal are Justice Imelda Etape and Justice Sikka Duarabo.

The tribunal, which commenced sitting on January 31, received five petitions challenging the outcome of the governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Lucky Aiyedatiwa, winner of the election.

The five petitioners are seeking the nullification of the election on grounds of non-compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act.

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

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Others include the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi; the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and its candidate, Kolawole Ogunfeyimi; and African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate, Adeyemi Nejo.

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

The PDP’s counsel, Ishaka Dikko and Bankole Akomolafe, 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.

On the other hand, Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, and INEC enjoined the tribunal to dismiss the petitions.

The respondents – represented by Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Tayo Oyetibo (SAN), and Charles Edosomwan – urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitions for lacked of merit.

The Star