Ondo poll: Appeal Court throws out Jegede’s petition, PDP heads to Supreme Court

The petition filed by the candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede, against the victory of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu was thrown out on Wednesday by the Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State.

The latter then was the flag-bearer of APC in the October 2020 governorship election.

Jegede Blueprint recalls had approached the appellate Court alleging that Akeredolu’s nomination by his party was unconstitutional.

In her judgment, the lead judge, Theresa Orji-Abadua, held that the case filed by the PDP candidate in the election lacked merit.

Counsel to Jegede, Oyeachi Ikpeazu, had approached the appellate court describing Akeredolu’s nomination by his party as unconstitutional.

Earlier on April 20, 2021, an election petition tribunal, led by Umar Abubakar had ruled that the qualification of the APC candidate and his deputy were not a pre-election matter, but a constitutional matter, which is not within its jurisdiction.

“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 held further.

It was in accordance with the argument of the counsels of Akeredolu, and the electoral body, INEC.

Meanwhile, PDP in Ondo state and its candidate at the October 2020 gubernatorial election are set to challenge the Court of Appeal decision at the Supreme Court.

PDP notes that “We are still studying the details of the judgement, by virtue of the fact that it was delivered via Zoom. But we have sufficient grounds to appeal the decision of the Court. We are confident the Supreme Court which is the highest court in the land will do justice”.