Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has extended an olive branch to his political opponents, urging them to set aside their differences and collaborate for the development of the state.
This call comes after the Supreme Court, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, affirmed Aiyedatiwa’s victory in the November 16, 2024, governorship election, dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Agboola Ajayi.
In a landmark judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the apex court upheld the concurrent rulings of the lower courts, solidifying Aiyedatiwa’s position as the duly elected governor. Speaking in Akure on Tuesday evening, Aiyedatiwa emphasized the need for unity and cooperation.
“I have always been telling them (opponents) that we should save time and resources and work together for the state and empower the people, rather than going through long litigation processes,” he said. “They should join us and let’s work together. If they have any idea, they should bring it to the table so that those of us in government can utilise it for the development of the land.”
Aiyedatiwa also praised the judiciary for its impartiality and efficiency, noting that the Supreme Court’s decision reflects the strengthening of Nigeria’s judicial system. “We can get justice from the highest court of the land. The court upheld the concurrent judgment of the trial court, and it shows that our judiciary system is doing great,” he stated.
The governor expressed relief at the conclusion of the legal battle, describing the PDP’s case as “frivolous.” He added, “With the analysis by the learned counsel leading our cases and all the explanation we are getting from them, we just had to believe that at the end of the day, justice would be served. This is because we are properly briefed, and we believe that the judges will do the right thing—and that is exactly what they have done.”
As Ondo State moves forward, Aiyedatiwa’s appeal for unity underscores his commitment to inclusive governance and state development.
His victory, now firmly upheld by the courts, marks a new chapter for the state, with the governor calling on all stakeholders to contribute to its progress.