The Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has reserved judgment on the case brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Agboola Ajayi, challenging the eligibility of Olayide Adelami, deputy governor-elect under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP alleges that Adelami’s academic credentials show discrepancies that make him ineligible to contest as the running mate to APC’s Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Ajayi, who finished second in the 2024 governorship race, filed the suit against Adelami, claiming that the deputy governor’s academic records list conflicting names. According to the PDP, these inconsistencies—such as “Adelami Owolabi Jackson” on Adelami’s 1974 West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate and “Adelami Olaide Owolabi” on his 1982 degree certificate from Ambrose Alli University—raise questions about his eligibility to hold office.

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Through his counsel, Mr. M. Ndoka SAN, Ajayi requested that the court disqualify both Adelami and Aiyedatiwa, as well as prevent the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing them as the duly elected candidates. The suit was originally filed in Abuja but was transferred to Akure for further proceedings.

In defense, Adelami’s lawyer, Mr. Remi Olatubora, explained that the differences in the names were due to variations in the arrangement of the names, not fraudulent intent. He further argued that the plaintiffs lacked the standing to file the suit, as they were not APC members and had not participated in the party’s primaries.

Justice Toyin Adegoke presided over the case and announced that a judgment date would be communicated to all involved parties.