“It is a well-deserved victory. The Supreme Court’s judgment has reaffirmed the confidence of the people in your mandate and has once again shown that truth and fairness will always prevail”
By John Odunayo
A group, the Imole Progressives Network has said that the Supreme Court victory of Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will enhance his focus on good governance and infrastructural development.
The group’s Director-General, Engr Michael Adeyanju, said in a statement made available in Ado Ekiti on Friday that Aiyedatiwa’s triumph “is not only a personal vindication, but also a victory for democracy, justice and the will of the good people of Ondo State”.
The apex court had in its judgment on Wednesday affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s election in the November 16, 2024 Ondo governorship election after striking out the appeals against his victory.
This followed the withdrawal of the appeals filed by the governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Agboola Ajayi; Social Democratic Party, Bamidele Akingboye; and Allied Peoples Movement, Ogunfeyimi Kolawole.
Adeyanju, who said the group congratulated the governor on the “well-deserved victory”, stated, “The Supreme Court’s judgment has reaffirmed the confidence of the people in your mandate and has once again shown that truth and fairness will always prevail.
“I commend Your Excellency’s steadfastness, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the service of Ondo State, even in the face of distractions.
“With this judicial seal of legitimacy, it is my strong belief that your administration will continue to focus on delivering good governance, infrastructural development and prosperity to all.
“May God grant you the wisdom, strength, and grace to lead Ondo State to greater heights,” the group stated.
Recall that following declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission that Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes to defeat the candidates of other parties, some contestants and their parties dragged the governor to the Election Petition Tribunal.
The petitioners alleged that the election was characterised by irregularities and electoral malpractices at many polling units, which were non-compliant with the electoral law, but the tribunal struck out their petitions, upholding the defendants’ victory.
Their appeals at the Appeal Court, Akure Division were also struck out for their not substantiating the claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and failure to prove their allegations against the election.
According to the state Commissioner for Information, Idowu Ajanaku, the governor, in his reaction to the Supreme Court victory, has vowed to focus on the governance of the state, noting that the verdict had put to end all litigations arising from the governorship election.
