Ondo poll: Appeal court dismisses Jegede’s suit against Akeredolu

The court of appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo state, has dismissed an appeal filed by Eyitayo Jegede, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the victory of Rotimi Akeredolu in the October 2020 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Akeredolu as the winner of the October 10 governorship election, having polled a total of 292,830 votes to defeat Jegede, who secured 195,791 votes.

Jegede had approached the tribunal to challenge Akeredolu’s reelection.

The PDP candidate had told the tribunal that the election was marred by “irregularities, violence and intimidation of eligible voters”.

He also submitted that Akeredolu and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, deputy governorship candidate, were not duly nominated by their party — the All Progressives Congress (APC).

But in a judgment delivered on April 20, the tribunal dismissed Jegede’s petition.

“The issue raised therein in this petition are settled issues of internal affairs and management of a political party which this tribunal has no jurisdiction,” the tribunal had ruled.

Consequently, the former governorship candidate went before the court of appeal.

Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to the PDP candidate, had approached the appellate court saying Akeredolu’s nomination by his party was unconstitutional.

Delivering the lead judgment on Wednesday, Theresa Orji-Abadua, appeal court justice, dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.