Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has expressed confidence in the credibility of the November 16, 2024, governorship election as the Election Petitions Tribunal commenced its sitting in Akure on Friday. He stated that the people of Ondo State overwhelmingly voted for him, and the election results were a true reflection of their will.
Speaking after attending the tribunal’s inaugural sitting, Aiyedatiwa described the election as historic, emphasizing his landslide victory across all 18 local government areas.
“The election was free, fair, and credible. The people of Ondo State made history by ensuring that, for the first time, a candidate won in all 18 local government areas. That alone speaks volumes about the trust and confidence they have in my leadership,” he said.
The tribunal, led by Justice Nelson Ugubu, is set to hear petitions filed by three opposition parties—the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP, as the main petitioner, has lined up 43 witnesses to support its claims of alleged electoral malpractices.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who attended the sitting, noted his interest in the tribunal’s proceedings, highlighting the importance of understanding the legal process.
“And, you know, learning is continuous. Even though I’m the governor, I still also want to hear what is going on in the judiciary arm of government, particularly in this election petition. Having the legal professionals and the very competent justices on this panel, it’s an exercise for me. I just want to witness it and be part of it. There’s nothing to worry about,” he added.
Legal representatives from both the petitioners and respondents made preliminary submissions, setting the stage for detailed hearings in the coming weeks. The tribunal adjourned the case to February 10, 2025, for further proceedings.
