Appeal Court Delivers Blow To NNPP’s Edema, Affirms Aiyedatiwa’s Candidacy And Imposes ₦1 Million Fine

The Court of Appeal in Akure, Ondo State, has upheld the election of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, following the governorship election held on November 16, 2024.

Gbenga Edema, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) candidate, had approached the appellate court to overturn a prior decision by the Federal High Court, which validated the legitimacy of the APC primary election that produced Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as candidates.

However, in a unanimous decision led by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, the Appeal Court dismissed Edema’s appeal, describing it as procedurally flawed and an abuse of court process.

The Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, earlier ruled that Edema lacked legal standing to continue the suit after the NNPP formally withdrew, rendering the case incompetent.

The Appeal Court sided entirely with the respondents—Aiyedatiwa, Adelami, and INEC—dismissing the appeal as lacking merit and awarding a ₦1 million cost against Edema in favour of each respondent.

Reacting to the verdict, Remi Olatubora (SAN), counsel to the Deputy Governor, criticized Edema’s suit, stating, “Such cases should not be permitted under our laws. The time and resources expended from the High Court to the Appeal Court were significant. Thankfully, justice has prevailed.”

Ondo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), praised the justices for their diligence and noted, “This judgment reaffirms the people’s mandate. The litigation must end—it’s time to unite and move forward.”