By Kamsi Anayo
The Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State capital, has barred Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa from seeking another term in office.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, the court, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, held that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not contemplate a situation where an elected President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor spends more than eight years in office.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn in on Dec. 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. He was again sworn in on Feb. 24, 2025, after winning the Nov. 16, 2024 governorship election, in which he defeated Agboola Ajayi of the People’s Democratic Party.
The suit was instituted by an All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Akin Egbuwalo, who challenged the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa to contest for another term.
The governor, his deputy Olayide Adelami, and the ruling All Progressives Congress were listed as defendants in the case.
The court’s decision has far-reaching implications for the political future of the Ondo State governor and the interpretation of constitutional tenure limits in Nigeria.
