In a move seen as consolidating his hold on power and political structures in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has directed Caretaker Chairmen across the 18 Local Government Areas and the newly created 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state to immediately vacate their seats in compliance with an existing court order.
The decision that is gradually sweeping away the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s old order was conveyed in a memo dated January 2, 2024, and signed by Adewale Alonge on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The letter is against the backdrop of an interim injunction granted by an Akure High Court in a case filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to restrain late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local councils and the LCDAs pending the determination of the interlocutory junction in the suit.
Accordingly, the court presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi barred the caretaker chairmen from operating following their resumption in office with the argument that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.
Also, the suspension letter served on the Caretaker Chairmen indicated that the directive would subsist until the determination of the court case.
The Letter stated thus; “It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State by a Court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in that posts.
“Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.
“Furthermore, I have also been asked to request all HOLGAs to retrieve without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs with these former Caretaker Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, and other members and to safely keep them within their respective Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.”
