Ondo: Aiyedatiwa tackles Ajayi over comments on LCDA nullification

The Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has criticised Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the upcoming November 16 governorship election, over his comments regarding the nullification of the 33 local council development areas (LCDAs). The Akure Division of the State High Court had nullified the creation of the 33 LCDAs by the […]

The Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has criticised Agboola Ajayi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the upcoming November 16 governorship election, over his comments regarding the nullification of the 33 local council development areas (LCDAs).

The Akure Division of the State High Court had nullified the creation of the 33 LCDAs by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu administration. The court ruled that the Local Government Creation Law 2023 signed by Akeredolu in Ibadan, Oyo State, was unconstitutional, illegal, null and void. Justice A.O. Adebusuoye described the LCDAs as “inchoate” and unlawfully created, noting that it was illegal for Akeredolu to sign the law outside the state.

Following the verdict, Ajayi accused Aiyedatiwa of being behind the court’s decision. He argued that Aiyedatiwa should not have allowed the case to proceed, given the potential benefits of the LCDAs for the people of Ondo State.

“I blame Governor Aiyedatiwa for the judgement and the aftermath of the creation of the LCDAs. Government is a serious business. Once you inherit an asset of a government, you must also inherit the liability or whatever comes with it,” Ajayi stated.

He emphasised the importance of local government administration for rural communities and urged for its nurturing.

In response, Aiyedatiwa condemned Ajayi’s statements as reckless and defamatory, accusing him of attempting to undermine the judiciary.

The governor’s campaign organisation, through his spokesperson, Kayode Fasua, asserted that while Ajayi has the right to express his opinion, he should not impugn the integrity of the judiciary by claiming that Aiyedatiwa influenced the judge.

“We waited for three days, hoping that Ajayi would deny the story or claim he was quoted out of context. However, his silence affirmed that he believed the governor influenced the judge’s decision to dissolve the 33 LCDAs,” Fasua said. He called on the judiciary to hold Ajayi accountable, demanding that he provides evidence of Aiyedatiwa’s alleged influence or face legal consequences.