PDP, SDP withdraw suits as APC tells opposition to join gov in moving state forward
The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Agboola Ajayi.
This, however, followed the withdrawal of Ajayi’s appeal.
Ajayi, through his counsel, said he withdrew the case after due consultation with members of the PDP.
In a letter to the Chief Registrar of the apex court, Ajayi said that the decision to withdraw the case was reached after consultations with his family, associates, party members, and legal team.
He extended his best wishes to Aiyedatiwa and pledged to work with him for the development of Ondo State.
The five-member panel of the court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, also dismissed the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bamidele Akingboye, and his Allied Peoples Movement (APM) counterpart, Ogunfeyimi Kolawole.
The apex court ruled that the case was filed out of time and that Ajayi, not being a member of the APC, lacked the locus standi to contest the internal affairs of the party.
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has called on the candidates of the opposition parties to accept their defeat in the governorship election and rally behind Aiyedatiwa in the task of developing the state.
The ruling party said it was time for all stakeholders to support the Aiyedatiwa-led administration in its ongoing reforms across critical sectors aimed at revitalising the economy.
The call came after Ajayi formally withdrew his appeal at the Supreme Court against Aiyedatiwa’s election victory.
The ruling APC described the withdrawal as not just a legal closure but also an endorsement of the people’s mandate given to Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement by its Spokesperson, Alex Kalejaye, the party commended the roles played by the judiciary, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and security agencies while the litigation lasted.
The state Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, also congratulated Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, Olade Adelami, APC chieftains, and residents of Ondo State on what he described as “a well-deserved victory.”
