Ondo governor, Aiyedatiwa suspends caretaker chairmen few days after swearing-in

All the 18 Local Government Council Caretaker Chairmen have been suspended from office with immediate effect, by the newly sworn-in Ondo state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Others suspended are the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) who were put in place by the late governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Their suspension might have followed the decision of Justice Yemi Fasanmi-led Federal High Court which granted an interim injunction filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP claiming that their existence are not in consonance with the provision of the Constitution.

Their suspension are to remain until the case is determined by the court.

The opposition party had approached an Akure High Court presided restraining the late governor from inaugurating the Local Government Council Caretaker Chairmen and LCDA who are not democratically elected until the determination of the interlocutory injunction in the suit.

Justice Fasanmi later barred the caretaker chairmen from operating after they resumed office on the excuse that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.

Aiyedatiwa’s suspension of the caretaker chairman was contained in a letter by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and signed by Alonge Adewale.

The letter read: “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.”

The letter asked the suspended Caretaker Chairmen to submit, without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs.

But one of the caretaker chairmen who pleaded anonymity said they had earlier secured a stay of execution against the court order.
He said the case would linger till the Supreme Court adjusted it.

The caretaker chairman said they were shocked that Aiyedatiwa refused to obey the order for a stay of execution.