The Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has dismissed a case questioning the qualifications of Ondo State’s deputy governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his running mate, Olayide Adelami, both candidates of the All Progressives Congress in the November 16, 2024, governorship election.
The suit was filed by Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the election, through his lawyer, M. Ndoka (SAN).
Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke ruled that the plaintiff lacked the legal right, or *locus standi*, to file the case. She further stated that the case was *statute-barred* because it was submitted after the 14-day deadline set by the Electoral Act.
“The plaintiffs lacked the *locus standi* to file the suit or seek the reliefs set out in the originating summons,” Justice Adegoke said. She explained that Ajayi and the PDP, not being members of the APC or participants in its primary election, had no legal basis to challenge the qualifications of Aiyedatiwa and Adelami.
Ajayi had argued that the APC deputy governorship candidate, Adelami, used conflicting names on his documents, including “Adelami Owolabi Jackson” and “Adelami Olaide Owolabi.” He sought to have the court disqualify both candidates and bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from listing them in the election.
However, the defense team, led by Remi Olatubora (SAN), explained that the names on Adelami’s documents were consistent with certificates issued by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and Ambrose Alli University.
Olatubora argued, “The discrepancies involve the order of the names, not the authenticity of the certificates.”
Other defense lawyers, including Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) for Aiyedatiwa, Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN) for the APC, and Charles Edosan (SAN) for INEC, supported this position.
Justice Adegoke ruled that allegations of certificate forgery and perjury are criminal and require evidence from the issuing authorities. She dismissed the case, resolving all issues in favor of the APC candidates.
This ruling solidifies Aiyedatiwa and Adelami’s standing as the elected leaders for the state following the peaceful November polls.
