Julius Alabi, Akure
The Appeal Court sitting in Ondo has affirmed the victory of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in the October 10, 2020, Ondo State governorship election.
The three-man panel ruled that Akeredolu was validly elected, thus dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, Eyitayo Jegede who has suffered the second defeat in the election case.
The Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Akure had on Tuesday, April 21, 2021, dismissed the petition filed by Jegede, against the (APC candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu, who was returned re-elected last October.
The Chairman of the three-member panel, Justice Umar Abubakar, ruled that the court did not have jurisdiction over the issues raised by Jegede and the PDP.
“Issue raised therein in this petition is the settled issue of internal affairs and management of a political party which this tribunal has no jurisdiction,” the judge ruled.
Jegede, not satisfied with the ruling, proceeded to the Appeal Court which has now ruled against him