By Ken Afor
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has sacked all Local Government Caretaker Committees in the state.
This was disclosed in a circular dated January 2, 2024 instructing the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LGAs/LCDAs) to promptly take charge as the leaders of their respective LGAs and LCDAs on an interim basis.
This directive was given through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and it is in effect until all legal issues concerning this matter are resolved.
The letter reads:
RE: INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF CARETAKER COMMITTEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN ONDO STATE.
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State by a Court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in that posts.
2. Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.
3. Furthermore, I have also been asked to request all HOLGAs to retrieve without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs with these former Caretaker Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and other members and to safely keep them within their respective Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
4. Kindly give the content of this letter the urgent attention it deserves, please.
It would be recalled on Thursday, November 30, 2023, the Ondo State High Court had ordered the former Governor of the State, late Rotimi Akeredolu to suspend the inauguration of the Caretaker committee for the LGAs and LCDAs.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi, in a ruling, granted the interlocutory injunction requested by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The court issued an order prohibiting the appointment of any individual or group as a caretaker committee in any local government or local council development area until the main lawsuit is resolved.
ENDS
