𝗔𝗶𝘆𝗲𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘄𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲-𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗶𝘁

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has lost his attempt to amend his appeal in a legal dispute concerning his eligibility to contest the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the application seeking to amend the appeal in the suit challenging his re-election eligibility, which was earlier filed at the Federal High Court.

The legal battle was initiated by a political opponent who questioned Aiyedatiwa’s qualification to run for another term as governor. The suit argued that certain constitutional and electoral provisions relating to nomination and eligibility needed to be interpreted by the court.

During proceedings, Aiyedatiwa’s legal team sought permission to amend parts of the appeal already filed before the appellate court. However, the court declined the request, ruling that the application lacked sufficient merit.

In its decision, the court held that the proposed amendment could not be granted at that stage of the proceedings, thereby allowing the case to continue based on the original appeal documents already before the court.

Legal observers say the ruling does not immediately remove Aiyedatiwa from the race but means the governor must continue to defend his eligibility using the existing appeal without making the proposed changes.

Reacting to the development, sources within the governor’s camp maintained that the legal team remains confident of eventually securing a favourable outcome as the case progresses through the judicial process.

The ruling adds another chapter to the ongoing legal tussle surrounding the Ondo governorship contest, as political parties and candidates continue preparations ahead of the election.