Mr. Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party’s nominee for governor of Ondo State in the November 16, 2024, election, has declared his intention to withdraw from the Supreme Court appeal against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the victor of the election.
Recall that on December 11, 2024, Online reported that Ajayi had petitioned the Ondo State Election Petition Tribunal to overturn Aiyedatiwa’s victory. Twenty-four days after the governorship election, this occurred.
Ajayi revealed that in an attempt to obtain justice from the court, his legal team had submitted the petition to the election tribunal.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, defeated PDP candidate Ajayi by a total of 117,845 votes, behind the governor by 366,781 votes, the Independent National Electoral Commission announced.
He went on to contest the election results, but was unsuccessful in both the Court of Appeal and the Election Petition Tribunal. He then went to the Supreme Court to contest the lower court’s decisions.
However, on September 16, 2025, he sent a letter to the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court in Abuja announcing his decision to withdraw from the case. On Wednesday, our journalist was given access to the letter.
In the letter, the former PDP governorship candidate did not explain the major reason for his action but indicated that he had consulted the stakeholders who had accepted to the decision.
“RE: SC/CV/757/2025 – Mr. Ajayi Alfred Agboola & Anor V. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3ORS” was the heading of the letter.
As the “Appellant” in the aforementioned appeal, it stated: “I am writing to let you know that I am aware of the appeal that has been filed on my behalf regarding the most recent Ondo State gubernatorial election.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for governor, I have had serious conversations with my family, fellow party members, acquaintances, and legal counsel. We have decided after much discussion that the appeal should be dropped, and I am signing this letter to that effect.
“My first priority is to uphold the values of good administration and the encouragement of peaceful coexistence in Ondo State and throughout Nigeria, having previously served as the Deputy Governor and as a national representative of my constituency.
In keeping with this, I offer His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Alyedatiwa my best wishes as he leads our state, and I’m still committed to making a constructive contribution to the growth of the State and the Nation.
“I appreciate your consideration and understanding of this issue. I have faith that my viewpoint will be duly recognized.
More information later.
