How Governor Aiyedatiwa Overcame Legal Challenges, Prevailed At Supreme Court

Before becoming Acting Governor—and subsequently Governor—following the passing of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, on December 27, 2023, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa faced a series of legal challenges.

Many of these were attempts to either challenge his position or to impede the planned impeachment proceedings against him.

As the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election approached and Governor Aiyedatiwa declared his intention to contest, the legal battles intensified.

New cases emerged, primarily challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election and questioning the eligibility of his deputy governorship candidate, Dr Olayide Adelami.

Despite securing a decisive victory at the polls—where he received over 366,000 votes, defeating his closest rival, former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi of the PDP, who garnered 117,000 votes, along with 15 other contestants—post-election petitions flooded the 2024 Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal in Akure.

These petitions sought to overturn what was widely acknowledged as a free, fair, and credible election.

Resolute in defending his mandate, Governor Aiyedatiwa, through the State Attorney General, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, CON, assembled a formidable legal team.

The team comprised some of Nigeria’s leading legal experts, including Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN; Olusola Oke, SAN; Professor Abdukarim Kana; Hakeem Afolabi, SAN; Abdul-Kadir Olajide Ajana, SAN; Tayo Oyetibo SAN, Yinka Orokoto; Abiola Olawole, Adelanke Akinrata; and Dr A. K. Adewusi, among others.

Notably, Governor Aiyedatiwa prevailed in every single case—whether at the State High Court, Federal High Court, the Tribunal, or the Court of Appeal.

On September 17, 2025, the Supreme Court definitively resolved all remaining controversies. A panel comprising Justices John Inyang Okoro, Emmanuel Agim, Moore Adumein, Stephen Adah, and Mohammed Idris unanimously dismissed the three pending appeals against Governor Aiyedatiwa’s victory after the appellants, anticipating certain defeat, voluntarily withdrew their cases.

Firstly, the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Chief Agboola Ajayi, was dismissed following their notice of discontinuance.

Secondly, the appeal filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and its candidate, the late Otunba Akingboye Benson Bamidele, was struck out after their counsel, Aderemi Abimbola, applied for withdrawal due to the appellant’s passing.

Before adjourning, the Justices strongly cautioned some of the lawyers against bringing frivolous appeals, emphasising that the Supreme Court is a serious institution that should not be burdened with trivial litigation.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was present in court, exited the courtroom alongside the Ondo State APC Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, and other party leaders, expressed profound gratitude to God Almighty, the Nigerian judiciary, and their legal team.

Addressing the press, the Governor dedicated his victory to the people of Ondo State and pledged to work even harder to build a greater state. The Supreme Court’s pronouncement of September 17, 2025, thus signifies the end of a prolonged period of legal challenges and the ultimate triumph of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.