Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has taken the decision to suspend the caretaker chairmen of the 18 local government areas (LGAs) and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.

Aiyedatiwa stated that the suspension would remain in effect until a court of law determines the matter. The directive was conveyed through a letter signed by Alonge Adewale of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. The suspended caretaker chairmen were instructed to hand over all properties belonging to the LCDAs.

The letter emphasized that despite the court’s suspension of the caretaker committee members, certain individuals were still assuming the positions. As a result, the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs were directed to assume responsibility as acting heads of their respective areas until the legal matters concerning the subject are resolved.

The suspension comes after an interim injunction granted by Justice Yemi Fasanmi of the Akure High Court in response to a filing by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The injunction sought to restrain the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating anyone not democratically elected as members of the caretaker committees for the local councils and LCDAs, pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction in the lawsuit.

Justice Fasanmi subsequently barred the caretaker chairmen from carrying out their duties after they had assumed office, citing that they were sworn in before the court order was granted.