The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Agboola Ajayi, governorship candidate in the November 16, 2024 Ondo State election, has officially withdrawn his appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ajayi, who was Deputy Governor during the first term of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, emerged as the major contender against Aiyedatiwa in a race that featured 16 other candidates.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ajayi confirmed that although an appeal had been filed on his behalf, he decided — after consultations with family, associates, party members, and his legal team — to discontinue the matter.
“After careful deliberation, we have reached a consensus that the appeal should be withdrawn, and I hereby so do. Having served as former Deputy Governor and legislator, my foremost commitment is to good governance and peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and Nigeria.
“In this spirit, I extend my heartfelt wishes to His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as he leads our state, and I remain dedicated to contributing positively to the state and national development,” Ajayi wrote in the letter dated September 16, 2025.
The PDP candidate also assured that he would support Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration, a move seen as a significant political reconciliation in the state.
Earlier, the Court of Appeal in Akure dismissed Ajayi’s suit challenging the re-election of Governor Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Owolabi Adelami, citing alleged name discrepancies.
The appellate court held that Ajayi lacked the locus standi to pursue the case, described it as statute-barred, and ruled that the cause of action arose on May 20, 2024, when the APC candidate submitted his nomination forms to INEC. However, Ajayi filed the suit on June 7, which was outside the constitutionally prescribed 14-day window.
The court upheld the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, dismissed the appeal, and awarded N2 million in costs against Ajayi in favour of each of the four respondents.
With this withdrawal, the legal battle over the 2024 Ondo governorship election is considered concluded, strengthening Governor Aiyedatiwa’s mandate.
Observers note that the decision marks the end of one of the state’s most fiercely contested post-election disputes. Governor Aiyedatiwa had consistently extended an ‘olive branch’ to Ajayi and other opposition candidates since the election.