Paragraph 1: The Genesis of the Ondo State Governorship Dispute
The 2024 Ondo State governorship election culminated in a legal battle that reached the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The contest primarily revolved around the eligibility of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate who emerged victorious. Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, challenged Aiyedatiwa’s victory, alleging discrepancies in the documentation of Aiyedatiwa’s running mate, Olayide Adelami, concerning a name change. This triggered a chain of legal proceedings, starting at the Federal High Court and progressing to the Court of Appeal before ultimately landing at the Supreme Court. The core of Ajayi’s argument centered on the claim that Adelami’s use of "Owolabi" as his middle name, differing from the "Jackson" used in his secondary school records, constituted a falsification of documents, thereby jeopardizing their joint ticket’s validity.
Paragraph 2: The Legal Arguments and Procedural Hurdles
Ajayi’s legal team contended that Adelami’s alleged alteration of his middle name without proper documentation rendered him ineligible, consequently invalidating Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy. They sought the nullification of the election results based on this premise. However, Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) countered Ajayi’s claims, arguing that he lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to initiate the lawsuit. They further asserted that the suit was filed beyond the stipulated 14-day window for electoral disputes, rendering it statute-barred. This procedural defense became a significant factor in the subsequent court decisions.
Paragraph 3: The Federal High Court and Court of Appeal Rulings
The Federal High Court, in its ruling on December 2, 2024, dismissed Ajayi’s case primarily on procedural grounds. The court held that the allegations of forgery, being criminal in nature, required more substantial evidence than could be presented through an originating summons, the chosen legal mechanism for initiating the case. Furthermore, the court agreed with the respondents that the suit was filed outside the legally prescribed timeframe. The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld the Federal High Court’s decision, reinforcing the dismissal of Ajayi’s challenge and affirming Aiyedatiwa’s victory. Both courts concurred on the procedural deficiencies of Ajayi’s suit, emphasizing the lack of locus standi and the statute-barred nature of the claim.
Paragraph 4: The Supreme Court’s Definitive Judgment
The Supreme Court, the final arbiter in the legal battle, delivered its judgment affirming the decisions of the lower courts. The apex court meticulously reviewed the arguments presented by both sides and upheld the dismissal of Ajayi’s appeal. Justice Garba Lawal, delivering the lead judgment, reiterated that the appellants lacked the necessary legal standing to pursue the case. The court emphasized that name changes, when appropriately documented, do not constitute electoral fraud or grounds for disqualification. The Supreme Court concurred with the lower courts that the case was indeed statute-barred, having been filed beyond the 14-day limit prescribed by electoral law.
Paragraph 5: Upholding Electoral Integrity and Procedural Adherence
The Supreme Court’s decision underscored the importance of adhering to legal procedures and timelines in electoral disputes. The court declared the petition baseless, frivolous, and lacking merit. By upholding the lower court judgments, the Supreme Court reinforced the principle that electoral challenges must be pursued within the confines of the law and that mere allegations, especially when presented outside the stipulated timeframe, cannot overturn election outcomes. This judgment served to maintain the integrity of the Ondo State governorship election and provided clarity on the legal requirements for challenging electoral results.
Paragraph 6: Consequences and Cost Implications
The Supreme Court’s dismissal of Ajayi’s appeal effectively cemented Aiyedatiwa’s position as the duly elected governor of Ondo State. The court’s decision also carried financial implications for the appellants. Ajayi was ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the four respondents – Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, the APC, and INEC. This financial penalty served as a deterrent against filing frivolous and procedurally flawed electoral petitions. The Supreme Court’s comprehensive judgment brought closure to the protracted legal battle, allowing the state to move forward under Aiyedatiwa’s leadership.
