Hon. Ajayi Alfred Agboola, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ondo State governorship election held in November 2024, has officially withdrawn his appeal at the Supreme Court.
In a formal letter dated September 16, 2025, addressed to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Agboola confirmed his awareness of the appeal lodged on his behalf challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other respondents.
The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, had previously affirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the governorship election conducted on November 16, 2024.
The appellate panel, comprising Justice Nimpar Yargata, Justice K.I. Amadi, and Justice I.M. Sani, unanimously dismissed the appeals filed by the PDP, Ajayi, and allied political parties. The court ruled that the appellants failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims of violations of the Electoral Act.
The judges emphasized that the appellants did not demonstrate how the alleged irregularities impacted the election outcomes across the various polling units, wards, and local government areas involved in the election process.
It is important to recall that on June 4, 2025, the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had already upheld the election of the APC candidate.
Unhappy with the tribunal’s decision, the PDP, alongside the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), and Social Development Party (SDP), pursued appeals seeking to annul the governorship election results.
Following extensive consultations with his family, party officials, close associates, and legal counsel, Ajayi decided to discontinue the Supreme Court appeal.
“As the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, I have engaged in deep and thoughtful discussions with my family, party members, associates, and legal advisors. After careful reflection, we have collectively agreed to withdraw the appeal, and through this letter, I formally do so,” Ajayi stated.
“Having served as a former deputy governor and as a national representative for my constituents, my primary dedication remains to upholding good governance and fostering peaceful coexistence within Ondo State and Nigeria at large.
“In this spirit, I sincerely wish His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa success as he leads our state, and I pledge to continue contributing constructively to the development of both Ondo State and the nation,” Ajayi concluded.
