Ondo governor re-election appeal dismissed by Court of Appeal; Lucky Aiyedatiwa ordered to pay ₦2 million in costs

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed the re-election appeal filed by Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, contesting the November 2025 Federal High Court ruling that questioned his eligibility for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. The panel of three justices delivered a unanimous judgment on Monday, 9 March 2026.

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Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, delivering the lead judgment, stated that Governor Aiyedatiwa failed to demonstrate that the trial court’s ruling caused any injustice or violated his right to a fair hearing.

The appellate court deemed the appeal lacked merit and imposed ₦2 million in costs against the governor.

The appeal had sought to overturn an earlier Federal High Court decision in Akure that allowed plaintiff Akindele Egbuwalo to amend his originating summons.

The Court of Appeal upheld the trial court’s discretion, noting that the decision was legally sound.

Additionally, the appellate court rejected an application by Aiyedatiwa to set aside a January 27, 2026 order that stayed proceedings in the suit before the Federal High Court.

The judges observed that the stay was a proper exercise of jurisdiction to protect the integrity of ongoing appellate proceedings and did not invalidate the trial court’s judgment.

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The ruling confirms that Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility for the Ondo governorship election remains under scrutiny, and the governor must now comply with the court’s directives while preparing for the electoral contest.