Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken the decision to suspend the caretaker chairmen serving across the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas within the state.
This suspension directive mandates the caretaker chairmen to remain suspended until the legal case concerning their appointment is resolved in court.
The basis for this action stems from an interim injunction granted by an Akure High Court presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi.
This injunction, filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party , sought to prevent the late governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating individuals not democratically elected as members of caretaker committees responsible for overseeing the local councils and LCDA.
The court’s directive aimed to halt the appointment process until the determination of the interlocutory Injunction in the ongoing suit.
Subsequently, Justice Fasanmi barred the caretaker chairmen from carrying out their duties following their assumption of office, citing that their swearing-in occurred before the court’s injunction was granted.
The suspension notice for the caretaker chairmen was communicated through a letter issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by Alonge Adewale.
The letter formalized Aiyedatiwa’s decision to suspend the caretaker chairmen until the legal proceedings regarding their appointment are conclusively settled in court.
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 directed the suspended Caretaker Chairmen to promptly submit all assets and properties belonging to the LGAs/LCDAs.
