Gov. Aiyedatiwa’s Re-election Hopes Hit Brick Wall as Appeal Court Rules Against Him

The political landscape in Ondo State has been thrown into a tailspin following a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. In a unanimous decision delivered today, March 9, 2026, the court dismissed the appeal filed by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, dealing a massive blow to his legal battle for re-election.

The Governor had been fighting to overturn a November 24, 2025, ruling by the Federal High Court in Akure, which raised serious questions about his eligibility to contest the upcoming gubernatorial race.

A three-member panel of justices ruled that the trial court was perfectly within its rights to allow the plaintiff, Akindele Egbuwalo, to amend his summons. Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment, was blunt: Aiyedatiwa failed to prove that the earlier ruling caused him any injustice.

The court didn’t just dismiss the case; it added salt to the wound

This ruling is a political earthquake for the Lucky Aiyedatiwa camp. With his qualification now officially under a judicial cloud, the Governor faces an uphill battle to secure his spot on the ballot.

As the legal “noose” tightens, his opponents are already smelling blood in the water, questioning if the incumbent can survive this massive judicial setback before the polls.

The clock is ticking for the Sunshine State’s Number One citizen. Will he head to the Supreme Court, or is this the end of the road for his re-election bid?