Ondo PDP Candidate Challenges Deputy Gov. -Elect’s Eligibility in Court

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the Ondo State governorship election held on November 16, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Akure, contesting the eligibility of Dr. Olaiyide Adelami, the deputy governor-elect of the state.

Through his counsel, M. Ndoka SAN, Ajayi argues that Adelami, who ran on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is unqualified to contest due to alleged discrepancies in his name. The suit also seeks the disqualification of the APC’s entire candidacy in the election.

In the suit, Ajayi contends that Adelami is associated with multiple names, including Adelami Owolabi Jackson and  Adelami Olaide Owolabi, creating irreconcilable discrepancies. Ajayi, who finished third in the election, urged the court to declare Adelami constitutionally disqualified and to invalidate the APC’s nominations for both governor and deputy governor.

Representing Adelami in court were Dr. Remi Olatubora and Idris Abubakar SAN. Governor Aiyedatiwa, another defendant, was represented by Tayo Oyetibo SAN, while the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were represented by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN and Charles Edosan SAN, respectively.

In his defense, Olatubora argued that the names in question appear on official documents, including a 1974 WAEC certificate and a 1982 degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University, and are not conflicting but merely arranged differently. He also asserted that the plaintiffs lack legal standing to file the case under Section 29(5) of the Electoral Act 2022, as they are neither APC members nor participants in the party’s primaries.

Olatubora further claimed that the case was improperly filed using originating summons instead of a writ of summons, given that it involves allegations of fraud. He maintained that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter, describing the case as baseless.

Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke presided over the hearing and reserved judgment for a later date, which will be communicated to all parties.