A landmark Supreme Court ruling reinforces Electoral Integrity in Ondo State by upholding Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s victory, confirming that proper documentation matters more than technicalities.
Aiyedatiwa’s Victory
The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a challenge to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s election, affirming his victory in the November 16, 2024, gubernatorial race in Ondo State. This ruling marks a significant moment for the state’s democratic process as the apex court’s decision emphasizes that documented name changes, when properly recorded, do not undermine electoral legitimacy.
The case was brought before the court by Mr. Agboola Ajayi, a candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party and former deputy governor, who argued that the election results should be annulled. His legal challenge centered on the claim that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s running mate and current deputy governor, Dr. Olayide Owolabi, had submitted inconsistent documentation to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Mr. Ajayi contended that discrepancies in the documents—where some certificates bore the name “Jackson” and others read “Owolabi”—were evidence of falsification intended to enhance eligibility for contesting the election.
The Supreme Court, however, found no merit in these allegations. In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the five-member panel unanimously held that the appellant’s claim was not only baseless but also lacked the legal foundation necessary to disrupt the electoral outcome. The judgment highlighted that a documented change of name, such as the one at issue, does not in itself constitute electoral fraud. Records revealed that Dr. Owolabi had indeed used the name “Jackson” during his secondary education and later adopted “Owolabi” after undergoing the proper legal procedures to change his name.
Furthermore, the court pointed out that Mr. Ajayi did not possess the legal right, or locus standi, to challenge the election. The case was also found to be time-barred. The legal action was initiated well beyond the prescribed 14-day window, having been filed on June 7, 2024, when the cause of action had effectively commenced on May 20, 2024, at the time of the nomination forms submission to INEC. This procedural oversight, combined with the absence of substantive evidence, led the Supreme Court to dismiss the case, thereby cementing the legitimacy of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s electoral win.
Prominent voices in the legal community have underscored that the ruling sets an important precedent for future electoral disputes across Nigeria. The emphasis on following proper documentation and procedural timelines is expected to encourage all political stakeholders to exercise due diligence when contesting election results. This decision reinforces that legal challenges must be firmly rooted in substantive evidence rather than technicalities alone, a perspective that will likely contribute to greater Electoral Integrity in future electoral contests.
Reactions to the ruling have also come from high-ranking state officials. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, characterized the judgment as “a victory for democracy and the rule of law.” Dr. Ajulo noted that while every advocate plays a role in strengthening the nation’s democratic fabric, the decision conclusively ends what he described as a prolonged political legal tussle. According to him, the Supreme Court’s ruling not only protects the outcomes of the electoral process but also ensures that future legal disputes in electoral matters will be addressed with the necessary rigor and clarity.
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