By Ayodeji Ologun
For long, the people waited for the court’s decision. And finally, it came with a bang. The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, in its judgment barred Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from seeking another term as governor in 2028.
The judgment came on the heels of a ruling by the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal two days earlier. A three-member panel, in a unanimous judgment, held that the trial court properly exercised its discretion when it granted an application by the plaintiff, Dr Akindele Egbuwalo, to amend his originating summons in the case.
For a better understanding of the importance of the case, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as deputy governor alongside the late Rotimi Akeredolu on February 24, 2021, for the late governor’s second term in office.
However, Akeredolu died in office on December 27, 2023, barely one year and two months before the end of his tenure, and Aiyedatiwa was subsequently sworn in as governor to complete Akeredolu’s tenure.
While the constitution, clearly and unambiguously stated that he cannot be sworn in for more than a single term, having been sworn in to complete the term of his late boss, Aiyedatiwa had tried to be clever by half by attempting to turn the Constitution on its head.
Speaking during a media chat in Akure, Aiyedatiwa said that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, was not explicit on tenure elongation through succession. He even maintained that the section of the Constitution will be interpreted by the Supreme Court.
Aiyedatiwa also expressed dismay that he was joined in a suit over a constitutional matter, insisting that he was protected by immunity, which shields him from what he described as ‘court issues’ except in electoral matters.
According to Aiyedatiwa, questions surrounding tenure elongation remain legally ambiguous and require judicial interpretation. Aiyedatiwa is playing the ostrich game because the constitution is very clear on the issue of tenure elongation.
But section 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution states, “A person who was sworn in as governor to complete the term for which another person was elected as governor shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
Nothing is ambiguous in this section of the Nigerian Constitution. You really don’t need a lawyer to interpret this: “A person who was sworn in as governor to complete the term for which another person was elected as governor shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
A truly troubled Aiyedatiwa did not waste time reacting to the court judgment. In an interview with Channels Television few hours after the judgment, Aiyedatiwa said the public had been misled by various narratives circulating on social media, stressing that he had not at any time indicated an intention to run in another election.
The governor is not telling the truth. His reaction on Channels TV a few hours after the judgment portrays a man who is playing a mind game with the people. He knows the truth about what the Constitution says, but he was trying to look for a loophole. Unfortunately for him, there is no loophole here.
However, there is a good sign that the truth may have dawned on him when he said, “You have to take things step by step, even though I am aware of the constitutional provisions that say a deputy who completes the tenure of his principal can only continue one more time.”
But how can you trust a man like Aiyedatiwa? A man who has failed in all his promises to the people. The promise to provide security, the promise to make them more prosperous, and the promise to provide the most basic of social amenities. Mr Governor, the people are not asking for too much: live up to your role as governor of the state.
Now is not the time for the people to rest. It is time to make the governor accountable to his oath and to respect the Constitution of Nigeria.
Meanwhile, with the judgment of the court, however, the people are hoping that their governor will recalibrate and focus on delivering on his mandate to them. There is no hiding the fact that governance has suffered a huge setback in the state since Aiyedatiwa became the governor.
The worsening security situation in the state needs his attention. Like never before, the state has witnessed a terrible escalation of kidnappings, killings and other terror activities. Your safe arrival at your home in Akure town from the airport is now at the mercy of God.
While the governor remains fixated on his plan to remain in office beyond 2028, though he denies this, he cannot deny the fact that the people have continued to suffer untold hardship. The farms are deserted because they fear for their lives. Killings and kidnappings have become an everyday affair while the state’s chief security officer seems overwhelmed.
It is particularly painful that Ondo State has become the headquarters of kidnapping activities and killings in the South-West despite the huge investments and energy put into the formation of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun.
Despite the results-oriented reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which have brought more money to the states, the impact has not been reflected on the people in the state. Mostly subsistence farmers and traders, who without question make up to 80 per cent of the population, live in abject poverty, with no particular programme formulated to alleviate their sufferings.
It is hoped that the high court judgment is a sign of a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel for the people. The judgment is a victory for the impoverished people of the state. They can now hope for a leader who will positively impact their lives, and not one who will dine, wine and dance with his select group while the state burns under the grip of kidnappers and killers.
We need a fresh wine in a new bottle of governance for Ondo State, a state that boasts of land bustling with good brains and world-beaters. We deserve better than what Aiyedatiwa is offering us.
Dr Ologun is a public affairs analyst and strategist for the Asiwaju Mandate Group
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