The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has criticised a ruling by the Federal High Court in Akure that bars him from contesting the state’s 2028 governorship election, describing the judgment as premature and a distraction from his administration’s work.
Speaking on the programme Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Aiyedatiwa said discussions about the 2028 off-cycle governorship race were unnecessary since he had only recently secured a fresh mandate from voters.
According to him, debates about his eligibility should only arise when the electoral timetable for the next governorship election is released. He noted that the issue could be properly addressed through constitutional interpretation when the time comes.
The governor emphasised that his priority remains fulfilling the mandate he received after winning the November 16, 2024 governorship election. He stated that his current focus is on governance and delivering development to the people of the state rather than thinking about future elections.
Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the constitutional provision that limits governors to a maximum of eight years in office but said he had not yet considered how it might affect his tenure since he had only just won the last election.
He also described the legal challenge as a major distraction, noting that he had already gone through a difficult political period that included surviving an impeachment process.
The governor dismissed suggestions that the case was linked to political persecution or efforts to push members out of the All Progressives Congress, insisting that the party remains strong in Ondo and that politics ultimately revolves around numbers.
Earlier on Thursday, the Federal High Court in Akure ruled that Aiyedatiwa would not be eligible to contest the 2028 governorship election.
The suit was filed by an APC member, Akin Egbuwalo, who asked the court to interpret Section 137(3) of the Constitution regarding the eligibility of the governor and his deputy, Olayide Adelami, to seek another term.
Other defendants in the case included the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Delivering judgment, Justice Toyin Adegoke held that Aiyedatiwa would be ineligible to run in 2028 because he had already taken the oath of office on December 27, 2023, following the death of former governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whose tenure he completed. The court also noted that he was sworn in again on February 24, 2025 after winning the 2024 governorship election.
The judge ruled that the 1999 Constitution does not allow a president, vice president, governor or deputy governor to remain in office for more than eight years. The decision relied on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Marwa v. Nyako.
