Court of Appeal dismisses Aiyedatiwa’s bid to block suit challenging reelection

The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, challenging an amendment to a suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2028 governorship election.

In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel of justices, the court held that the appeal lacked merit and awarded N2 million in costs against the governor.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam said the governor failed to prove that the Federal High Court in Akure denied him a fair hearing when it allowed the amendment to the originating summons. The court also found no evidence that the trial court misapplied legal principles in exercising its discretion.

The appellate court upheld the ruling of November 24, 2025, which permitted the amendment of the suit filed against the governor by Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Aiyedatiwa was first sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and was inaugurated for a second term on February 24, 2025, following his election victory.

Egbuwalo had argued in July 2025 that Aiyedatiwa is ineligible to run again in 2028, having taken the oath of office twice. The governor has not officially indicated whether he will seek another term.