“They Knew the Verdict!” – Ajayi Accuses APC of Pre-Judgment Celebration
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the last Ondo State governorship election, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, has raised eyebrows over the June 4 judgment by the state’s election petition tribunal, claiming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to have had prior knowledge of the outcome.
Ajayi, who lost to APC’s Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed dismay over the ruling and declared his intention to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal. The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Benson Ogbu, unanimously dismissed his petition and others as lacking merit, substance, and diligence, labeling them “frivolous.”
Shortly after the ruling, jubilant APC supporters flooded the streets of Akure in celebration—a move Ajayi interpreted as a suspicious sign that they may have known the tribunal’s verdict in advance.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ajayi questioned the tribunal’s handling of evidence. “We believe the tribunal failed to properly analyze the details and exhibits submitted. We are disappointed, but not defeated. Our pursuit of justice continues,” he said.
He also urged PDP members and supporters to stay hopeful and committed to the cause, insisting that “honesty must prevail in our electoral process.”
But the APC didn’t take Ajayi’s allegations lightly. In a swift rebuttal, the party, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro, described Ajayi’s comments as an “unfortunate assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system.” The party demanded a public apology to both the judiciary and the electorate.
“The PDP’s insinuations are nothing more than sour grapes,” the APC statement read. “Their comments undermine not just the judiciary, but the democratic will of the people who voted overwhelmingly for Governor Aiyedatiwa.”
The APC further accused the PDP of having a habit of praising court rulings only when they are favorable. “This is a dangerous pattern that damages public trust in democratic institutions,” the party warned.
Despite the controversy, Ajayi insists he will pursue the case at the appellate level, even as he acknowledges the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s judiciary.
