Politics
Ajayi files suit to stop Aiyedatiwa as Ondo gov
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Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State, Mr Agboola Ajayi, on Monday, said he had filed a petition at the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal against the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
This development came 24 days after the governorship poll.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress winner of the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ajayi scored a total vote of 117,845.
Speaking with journalists at the PDP Secretariat, Akure, the state capital, Ajayi disclosed that his legal team had filed the petition at the election tribunal with the hope of getting justice from the court.
He, however, declined to mention the grounds of his petition.
Expressing his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election, the PDP candidate described the result of the election as a miscarriage and murder of democracy.
He said, “First and foremost, we thank Almighty God for the peaceful conduct of the election in Ondo State. Since the election, our party has refrained from making public comments to allow time for a comprehensive review of the events that transpired on election day. After careful analysis, we have come to express our gratitude to the people of Ondo State for their confidence in us and the maturity they displayed during the elections despite provocations.
“We want to address certain misconceptions and allegations made against the electorate. There were accusations that our people sold their votes or were compromised. Let it be clear that the will of the people was not for sale. The sadness and disappointment witnessed after the election reflect their discontent with the outcome, which, we believe, was a miscarriage of democracy orchestrated by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Despite our previous warnings and even legal action to ensure neutrality within INEC, the institution, unfortunately, failed to act impartially. The election results, as declared, do not reflect the aspirations of the people of Ondo State. The declaration of Governor Aiyedatiwa as the winner by INEC was met with widespread dissatisfaction, as evident in the sober mood that followed.
“Our party has taken the lawful step of filing a petition at the electoral tribunal. While we will refrain from discussing the case in detail, I assure you that we remain committed to pursuing justice. Our people are educated, resilient, and determined to see democracy upheld.”
To this end, the PDP candidate called on the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act to ensure a transparent and tamper-proof electoral process, complaining that the use of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System, as currently implemented, has been allegedly being exploited for manipulation.
Ajayi, who is a former deputy governor of the state, however, expressed confidence in getting justice at the election petition tribunal.
“Despite concerns about the judiciary’s integrity, we maintain confidence in its ability to deliver justice. We are optimistic that the tribunal will fairly adjudicate our case. The judiciary remains a critical institution in preserving democracy, and we urge it to rise to this challenge.
“Ondo State deserves leaders chosen freely and fairly by the people. We are determined to restore the integrity of our democracy and ensure the people’s mandate is upheld,” he stated.
The PUNCH reports that the Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, had dismissed the suit filed by Ajayi challenging the November 16 governorship election in the state.
The presiding Judge, Justice Toyin Adegoke, held that the candidate of the PDP, who challenged the qualification of the APC’s candidates, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his running mate, Olaiyide Adelami lacked locus standi to file the suit.
The judge also held that the case filed by Ajayi and the PDP was barred by statute having filed it outside the 14 days required by the Electoral Act. Besides, Justice Adegoke held that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit, having filed it through originating summons instead of a Writ of Summons.
The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has set up five-man reconciliation committee headed by Chief Obi Onwuachu.
The committee is mandated to reconcile all aggrieved members after the party’s primaries.
Other members of the committee are Ichie Mike Ejezie , Chief Amechi Chinweze, Chief Chris Akaghalu and Chief Mrs Tina Aronu
Their names were announced on Friday at the APC State Secretariat in Awka by the party during its expanded stakeholders meeting, led by the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike.
The party used the occasion to ratify the expulsion of seven alleged recalcitrant members, who dragged the party to court in defiance to the APC’s constitution.
Furthermore, the party announced names of the three Senatorial candidates who emerged during the recent primaries in the state
They are Chief Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi for the South zone, Dr Mrs Ngozi Kene-Chiedu for the Central and Chief Kingsley Nnalue for the North .
Addressing the stakeholders,the state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, declared that the party will do everything humanly possible to make sure that President Bola Tinubu wins the 2027 presidential election in Anambra.
He said: “Everything we are doing in APC belongs to Ward Chairmen, they hold everything.
“There is no bigger Party than APC in the coming 2027 elections in Anambra, anybody not proud of APC in Nigeria is making mistake. We must believe in the administration of Mr President, Bola Tinubu.
“If you are not a member of APC, you are not. Anyone that takes the party to court is automatically, expelled.
“This party is as strong as never before and every mobilization must go through the wards. We are entering operational election and not hide and seek election,” Anosike said.
An aggrieved political association, All Democratic Alliance, ADA, and its Protem Director of Mobilization, Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi have dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, before the Federal High Court in Abuja praying for an order of the Court to compel the electoral body to withdraw the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, as a political party in Nigeria.
The grouse of ADA and Karlahi are predicated on allegations that the Senator Seriake Dickson led NDC was illegally and fraudulently registered by INEC as a political party for the purpose of participating in election matters in the country.
In a suit with number FHC/ ABJ/CS/1115/2026, the two plaintiffs alleged that INEC gravely breached, disobeyed, ignored, omitted and deliberately failed to ensure compliance with relevant laws in the ways and manners NDC was secretly registered.
Among others, Karlahi and ADA alleged that the electoral umpire failed to comply with sections 1, 6, 13, 14, 222, 251 of the 1999 Constitution and sections 75 and 79 of the Electoral Act in the registration of the NDC.
In the suit instituted on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Bankole Joel Akomolafe via an originating summons, the two plaintiffs claimed that NDC never met any of the Constitutional requirements for it to qualify for registration as a political party.
Besides, they asserted that INEC has no unfettered and unrestricted discretion to register the NDC as a political party.
They therefore prayed the Federal High Court to issue an order against INEC to void, set aside, cancelled and revoke the purported certificate of registration in possession of NDC.
The two plaintiffs also sought order of perpetual injunction restraining INEC from further recognizing, accepting, maintaining in its records or present any person on the authority of NDC as a political party for any election.
Another order of perpetual injunction was sought against NDC restraining it from parading, introducing, presenting or call itself a registered political party either by publication, broadcast or any other means.
The suit instituted on June 2, 2026 was supported by a 25 paragraph affidavit deposed to by the first plaintiff, Hon Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi.
While Ahidjo Ibrahim Karlahi and All Democratic Alliance are the two plaintiffs, INEC and Nigeria Democratic Congress are listed as the two defendants.
Meanwhile, no date has yet been fixed for hearing of the new suit.
Osborne Ubong Okon, a political aide to Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh—the Political Adviser to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno—has been relieved of his duties after criticising President Bola Tinubu on social media.
The development comes amid rising national concerns over the security situation in the country, further highlighted by the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Taking to his Facebook page to express his frustration with the current situation, Mr. Okon, who identifies as a member of the ruling party, wrote:
“In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
A few hours after the Facebook post went live, the office of the Political Adviser issued a letter terminating Mr. Okon’s appointment with immediate effect.
Governor Umo Eno has consistently maintained a good relationship with the federal government since defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025.
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