Gov Aiyedatiwa takes action, suspends Ondo’s caretaker chairmen

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor of Ondo state, has removed the interim chairman of 18 local government units and 33 local council development areas (LCDA).

Until the court makes a decision in the case, the interim chairman will continue to be suspended.

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The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) requested an interim injunction to prevent late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from appointing any individual or individuals not democratically elected to caretaker committees in order to manage the affairs of the local councils and LCDA until the outcome of the interlocutory injunction in this lawsuit. The Akure High Court, presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi, granted the request.

Later, when the caretaker chairmen returned to work, Justice Fasanmi prohibited them from doing so on the grounds that they had taken an oath of office.

A letter written by Alonge Adewale and dated by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said that Aiyedatiwa had suspended the temporary chairman.

The letter said as follows: “The Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has learned that some individuals in the previously held positions are still holding them, even after a court of competent jurisdiction suspended all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State.

As a result, I have been instructed to ask that the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in each of the LGAs/LCDAs take on the role of acting Head of their respective Local Government Areas/LCDAs as soon as possible, while any outstanding issues are being resolved.

The letter requested that all of the LGAs’ and LCDAs’ properties and assets be turned in right away by the suspended Caretaker Chairmen.

However, a caretaker chairperson who requested anonymity said that they had already obtained a stay of execution in opposition to the court ruling.

He predicted that the case would drag on until the Supreme Court made changes.

Aiyedatiwa’s defiance of the decision for a stay of execution stunned them, according to the caretaker chairman.