- After reviewing the arguments, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and issued an order stopping the governor from seeking re-election
- Aiyedatiwa said discussions about the 2028 off-cycle governorship election were unnecessary at this stage
- The governor also described the legal challenge as a distraction, especially after recently emerging from a tough election
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reacted to a recent Federal High Court decision in Akure that prevents him from seeking another term in office, describing the ruling as premature and a needless distraction from his responsibilities as governor.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the judgment delivered by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke stated that the 1999 Constitution restricts governors to a maximum of eight years in office.
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The case was initiated by Kin Egbuwalo, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who asked the court to interpret Section 137(3) of the Constitution regarding Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility to contest another governorship election.
After reviewing the arguments, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and issued an order stopping the governor from seeking re-election.
Those listed as defendants in the suit included Aiyedatiwa, his deputy Olayide Adelami, the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
While speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Aiyedatiwa said discussions about the 2028 off-cycle governorship election were unnecessary at this stage.
He explained that he only recently secured a fresh mandate from voters in the November 16, 2024 governorship election and is currently focused on governing the state.
According to the governor, he has not given any serious thought to how the constitutional eight-year tenure limit might affect his political future, as his priority is implementing the plans and promises he made to the people of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa stressed that conversations about another election are premature and suggested that such debates would be more appropriate closer to the 2027–2028 election period when the timetable for the next off-cycle poll is expected to be released.
He added that his immediate concern is fulfilling his mandate and delivering development to residents rather than worrying about future elections.
The governor also described the legal challenge as a distraction, especially after recently emerging from a tough election and surviving an impeachment process.
However, he maintained that the situation would eventually be resolved.
Aiyedatiwa further noted that the APC remains strong in Ondo State and emphasized that politics ultimately depends on numbers, adding that he has no intention of pushing anyone out of the party.
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