Ondo guber tribunal: Aiyedatiwa dismisses opposition claims, confident of victory

By Adedotun Ajayi
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reaffirmed the credibility of the November 16, 2024, governorship election, insisting that the outcome reflected the true will of the people.

Speaking in Akure on Friday after attending the inaugural sitting of the Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal, Aiyedatiwa described the election as historic, noting that his sweeping victory across all 18 local government areas was a testament to the electorate’s trust in his leadership.
“The election was free, fair, and credible. For the first time in our history, a candidate won in all 18 local government areas. That speaks volumes about the confidence the people have in my leadership,” he stated.

The tribunal, led by Justice Nelson Ugubu, has begun hearing petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), all challenging Aiyedatiwa’s victory. The PDP, as the main petitioner, has assembled 43 witnesses to back its claims of electoral malpractice.
However, Aiyedatiwa dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the election complied fully with the Electoral Act. He also expressed interest in closely following the tribunal proceedings, describing it as an opportunity to observe the judiciary at work.
“Learning never stops. Even as governor, I want to follow proceedings and understand how the judiciary operates, particularly in an election petition. With the calibre of justices on this panel, it’s an experience worth witnessing. There’s nothing to worry about,” he remarked.
During the sitting, the tribunal disclosed that a total of 149 witnesses would testify, with the breakdown as follows:
43 witnesses from the PDP (Petitioner)
19 witnesses from INEC (Respondent 1)
32 witnesses from Respondent 2
20 witnesses from Respondent 3
35 witnesses from the APC (Respondent 4)
Legal representatives from both sides engaged in preliminary submissions, setting the stage for an intense legal battle in the coming weeks.
As the proceedings unfold, Aiyedatiwa expressed confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality. “I have full respect for the legal process, and I am confident that justice will prevail. The people of Ondo State have spoken, and their voices will not be silenced,” he said.
The tribunal has adjourned to February 10 for further proceedings, with witness testimonies and evidentiary submissions expected to commence in earnest.