Ondo: Court bars Aiyedatiwa from seeking re-election in 2028

Aiyedatiwa

The Federal High Court in Akure, Ondo State, has barred governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state.

According to the court, allowing him to seek another term would violate the constitutional limit of eight years’ tenure.

The court, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, in a judgment delivered, held that the1999 Constitution (as amended) does not provide for a situation where an elected President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor would spend more than eight years in office.

Recall that Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Aiyedatiwa was later sworn in again on February 24, 2025, after defeating Hon. Agboola Ajayi, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

Justice Adegoke ruled that the suit is not speculative or academic, emphasising that it has inherent jurisdiction to interpret any section of the Constitution, being a creation of law and duty-bound to uphold it at all times.

Recall that a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Akin Egbuwalo, had dragged the governor, his deputy Dr. Olayide Adelami, and the ruling party to court over the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa to contest for another term in office.

Egbuwalo, through his counsel Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), sought an interpretation of Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution regarding the qualification of Governor Aiyedatiwa to contest for a second term.

The suit filed by Egbuwalo listed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, as defendants.