
18/09/2025
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the November 16, 2024, governorship election in Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi, has announced his withdrawal from the appeal filed at the Supreme Court against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's victory. Ajayi, a former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court in Abuja, dated September 16, 2025.
Ajayi stated that after careful deliberation with his family, party members, associates, and legal advisors, a consensus was reached to withdraw the appeal. He emphasized his commitment to the principles of good governance and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and across Nigeria. The former PDP governorship candidate extended his heartfelt wishes to Governor Aiyedatiwa and pledged to contribute positively to the state's development.
The appeal was initially filed after Ajayi lost the election to Governor Aiyedatiwa, who polled 366,781 votes against Ajayi's 117,845 votes. Despite losing at the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, Ajayi proceeded to the Supreme Court to challenge the verdicts of the lower courts.
Ajayi's decision to withdraw the appeal comes after the Supreme Court dismissed his legal challenge in March, ruling that properly documented name changes do not constitute electoral fraud or grounds for disqualification. The court also held that Ajayi lacked the legal standing to pursue the case and ordered him to pay N2 million in costs to each of the four respondents.
In his letter, Ajayi wrote, "Having served as the former Deputy Governor and as a representative of my constituents at the national level, my foremost commitment is to the principles of good governance and the promotion of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and across Nigeria. In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the State and Nationa