The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has derided the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate in the November 16, 2024, poll, Agboola Ajayi, over the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal. 

Mr Ajayi, in a statement on Tuesday, rejected the judgment of the election petition tribunal, which upheld the victory of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the APC, vowing to appeal the ruling. 

He said a thorough review of the tribunal’s judgment showed “glaring inconsistencies” in the treatment of critical evidence and exhibits tendered during the proceedings.

Mr Ajayi expressed concern at how the APC representatives arrived at the court on the day of the judgment in a celebratory mood, stressing that such action of the party members suggested a possible prior knowledge of the verdict. 

Responding, the spokesman for the state APC, Steve Otaloro described Mr Ajayi’s comments as an unwarranted assault on the judiciary’s integrity. 

In a counterstatement, Mr Otaloro said that the insinuations of the PDP candidate did not only undermine the hard work and dedication of the judiciary but also disrespected the democratic process of the voters.

Mr Otaloro stated, “We call on the PDP to tender an unreserved apology to the Nigerian judiciary and to the thousands of voters who participated in the election, which culminated in an unprecedented and overwhelming victory for Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The press statement issued by the PDP reacting to the electoral tribunal verdict delivered last week, particularly the assertion that APC members and supporters arrived at the court on judgment day in a celebratory mood, indicative of prior knowledge of the verdict to be delivered, is an unfortunate comment that serves as an unwarranted assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.’’ 

He stated that their claims of judicial challenges were nothing more than a reaction to their electoral loss, revealing a pattern of behaviour where the PDP only praises the judiciary when it aligns with their interests. 

He added, “Had the verdict favoured them, they would have undoubtedly lauded the system they now seek to vilify. The PDP’s loss at the election tribunal was not a mere coincidence; it reflected the resounding defeat they suffered at the polls, where they lost all 18 local governments, including the local government of their own governorship candidate, Agboola Alfred Ajayi. This overwhelming defeat is a clear indication of the electorate’s choice and their trust in the APC.

“While the PDP claims it will appeal the judgment, its pre-emptive chastisement of the judiciary only serves to intimidate the process, a tactic that will ultimately fail. It is a clever but misguided strategy that seeks to undermine the rule of law and the impartiality of our judicial system.”

Recall that the Ondo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, last Wednesday, dismissed the petitions filed by Mr Ajayi and the PDP, challenging the outcome of the election that produced Mr Aiyedatiwa. 

A three-man panel led by Justice Benson Ogubu upheld the election of Mr Aiyedatiwa, declared the winner of the governorship poll by the Independent National Electoral Commission with 366,781 votes, defeating Ajayi who polled 117,845 votes.

The tribunal dismissed Mr Ajayi’s petition for lacking merit and held that the candidate of the PDP ‘failed woefully’ to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims of electoral irregularities and, over-voting in the election exercise.’’