Why There Are Talks Agboola Ajayi May Still Take Guber Seat From Aiyedatiwa

Despite Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s win in the November 16 Ondo State gubernatorial election, insiders insist that Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the main opposition political party, retains a strong chance to overturn the outcome.

Aiyedatiwa, who contested on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared victorious by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 266,781 votes, while Ajayi, the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was named runner-up with 117,845 votes.

While Aiyedatiwa is planning for his swearing-in ceremony in February 2025, sources disclosed that Ajayi has launched a multi-pronged challenge to annul his victory.

Although he is not making much noise about it, those in the know revealed that the face of the PDP in Ondo State is prosecuting a comprehensive protest against the governor’s victory at the electoral tribunal.

“And his supporters are making assertions all over town about how strong a case he has,” sources disclosed.

Ajayi, who denounced the November 16 Ondo gubernatorial election as “a shameful affair,” is said to be backing his protest against the declaration of Aiyedatiwa with a “mountain of evidence.”

Added revelations have it that, on another front, the PDP frontman has taken the pre-election case questioning the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa’s deputy, Adeyemi Olajide, to contest the November 16, 2024, election to a higher court.

A Federal High Court in December 2024 ruled against Ajayi in the case, citing “lack of locus,” but dissatisfied with the outcome, he has taken the case to the Appeal Court, insiders say.

“So, the talks are that based on these moves, Ajayi is still very much in contention to become the governor of Ondo State. And many of his supporters are talking up his chances,” those in the know assert.