Former Ondo State deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa's camp exchanged accusations on Monday following a court ruling that nullified 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) established by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu in September 2023.
Addressing journalists at his residence in Akure, Ajayi criticized Aiyedatiwa for mishandling the issue, suggesting that the governor should have resolved matters with the plaintiffs before it reached the court. Ajayi, who is running against Aiyedatiwa under the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming November 16 governorship election, claimed his superior experience in local government matters would have led to a better resolution.
In response, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council rebuked Ajayi's comments, deeming them disrespectful to both Governor Aiyedatiwa and the judiciary, and demanded an apology.
Last week, Justice A.O. Adebusuoye of the Ondo State High Court invalidated the process by which Akeredolu created the LCDAs. The judge ruled that the LG Creation Law 2023, signed by Akeredolu in Ibadan, Oyo State, was unconstitutional as it was not signed within Ondo State.
Ajayi reiterated his stance that Aiyedatiwa mishandled the situation. He stated, “Governance is a serious business.
Once you inherit an asset from the government, you must also inherit the liability of whatever it is from that government.”
Reacting to Ajayi's statements, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation accused him of making defamatory remarks against the judiciary and the governor.
In a statement by spokesperson Mr. Kayode Fasua, the organization demanded that Ajayi apologize to Governor Aiyedatiwa and suggested that the judiciary should consider prosecuting Ajayi for his comments.
