BREAKING: Aiyedatiwa suspends 18 Ondo caretaker chairmen

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken the step to suspend the caretaker chairmen overseeing the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA). This suspension is to remain in effect until the court determines the case.

The decision follows an interim injunction granted by an Akure High Court, presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi, in response to a plea by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The injunction sought to prevent the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating individuals not democratically elected as members of caretaker committees for the local councils and LCDA until the court makes a determination on the interlocutory injunction.

Justice Fasanmi subsequently prohibited the caretaker chairmen from performing their duties after they assumed office, citing that they were sworn in before the court order was issued.

The suspension notice from Governor Aiyedatiwa was conveyed in a letter from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by Alonge Adewale. The letter directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) to assume acting capacity responsibilities for their respective LGAs/LCDAs until the legal matters are resolved. It also instructed the suspended caretaker chairmen to promptly submit all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs.

However, one of the caretaker chairmen, who spoke anonymously, revealed that they had obtained a stay of execution against the court order. According to him, the case is expected to endure until the Supreme Court addresses it. The caretaker chairman expressed surprise at Governor Aiyedatiwa’s non-compliance with the stay of execution order.