Akoko indigenes urge Aiyedatiwa to stop operating LCDAs annulled by court

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The people of Akoko under the umbrella of the Akoko Development Initiative (ADI) have called on Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to immediately halt the continued operation of the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) that were voided by a court judgement and begin a new process for their lawful creation.

In an open statement jointly signed by Fola Amure, Secretary of ADI, and Chief Ibukun Rogbitan, Chairman of the Akoko Consultative Forum (ACF), the group accused the state government of disobeying the ruling of the Ondo State High Court, which declared the LCDAs created under the 2023 law invalid.

The judgement, delivered by Justice Adegboyega Adebusoye, had described the creation of the 33 LCDAs as unconstitutional for failing to comply with sections 7 and 8 of the 1999 Constitution.

Despite the court’s clear directives, the Akoko leaders said the state government has continued to operate the dissolved LCDAs, appoint personnel and spend public funds on them.

“The Governor has taken some provocative actions that are of great concern and worry to us at Akoko Land. The Court made a judgement that was declarative, and all reliefs granted therein were clear, straightforward and objective. The judgement, if implemented, would ensure justice, peace and development in Ondo State, but we do not understand the reluctance of the Governor at obeying it.”

The group condemned the alleged presentation of the dissolved LCDAs to the visiting National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment for recognition, describing the move as “a deliberate affront on the people of Akoko and on the judiciary.”

They also faulted the government’s decision to file a notice of appeal, saying it was “a gimmick to create unwarranted delay”, as no further legal steps had been taken to advance the case.

The group stressed that all funds expended on the LCDAs since the judgement remain illegal and unconstitutional.