The Ondo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Akure, affirmed the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16, 2024, governorship election. In a judgment delivered on Wednesday, the tribunal dismissed all petitions challenging Aiyedatiwa's election, which were filed by several opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Action Alliance (AA), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The three-member panel, led by Justice Benson Ogubu, declared the petitions "worthless and unmeritorious" after an extensive judgment that lasted over eight hours. The tribunal meticulously addressed the various allegations raised by the petitioners. The PDP, whose candidate was Alfred Agboola Ajayi, had specifically challenged the qualification of Aiyedatiwa’s deputy, alleging forgery of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), citing inconsistencies with three different names appearing. The petitioners argued this should have invalidated the APC ticket. However, the tribunal removed the aspects of certificate forgery from the petition, ruling that it was a pre-election matter that had already been decided by the Federal High Court, Appeal Court, and the Supreme Court, and that the parties were bound by these prior decisions. The tribunal stated that allegations of non-qualification should be "uprooted and distilled" from the election petition as they pertained to pre-election issues, and noted that paragraphs in the address concerning this did not introduce new issues and were consequently struck out.

Another major contention by the PDP involved alleged widespread violation of Section 73(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022. They claimed that in 3,834 polling units, constituting 97 percent of the state’s 3,933 units, Form EC25B was not properly completed because the serial numbers of result sheets, Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, and ballot papers were not recorded as mandatorily required. The PDP argued this non-compliance should have rendered the election invalid in those units. In response, the tribunal held that Form EC25B never prescribed the entering of serial numbers, stating that "what is necessary is the quantity of the papers." The court further clarified there was "no way the court would dabble in the documents that were not identified and demonstrated by the petitioner."

The tribunal also dismissed allegations of over-voting, ruling that the petitioners failed to substantiate this claim as none of the witnesses presented tendered the BVAS machines or related data necessary for proof. Similarly, claims of corrupt practices and vote buying were dismissed due to a lack of credible evidence. The tribunal found the evidence presented by parties like the APM and SDP to be of "no probative value" and based on "speculation rather than concrete facts." Furthermore, the tribunal ruled that the Action Alliance (AA) lacked the locus standi to challenge the election results, noting that the party did not field a candidate in the election.

Reacting to the tribunal’s ruling, Governor Aiyedatiwa hailed the judgment as a "reflection of the will of the people." He noted that the mandate was given to him by over 366,000 residents across Ondo state’s 18 Local Government Areas, emphasizing he is the seventh democratically elected governor of the state. Speaking to journalists, Aiyedatiwa stated, "Some political parties thought that they can steal the mandate through the back door, but today, the judiciary has confirmed the decision of the majority of indigenes and residents of Ondo state." He expressed his delight and gratitude to God, and extended a hand of fellowship to opposition parties, inviting them to contribute their ideas for the development of the state. "We have always extended that to them... Part of my speech was for them to come and join us since they have the intention of contributing to the development of the state; they can join us in their ideas that they have; they can bring it on board so that we can work together," Aiyedatiwa added.

Meanwhile, the PDP, through its counsel Olujimi Oluseye, indicated a potential appeal. Oluseye remarked, "We respect the judges, but we must not forget that it didn’t go in our favour. Our clients have a constitutional right to seek redress. Having said that, we are going to apply for the certified true copy of the judgment, and we will study it. Part of what we may likely do is to go on appeal. But this is subject to the information we get from our clients."