Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has suspended caretaker chairmen of the 18 local government areas, LGAs, and 33 local council development areas, LCDAs, in the state.

Aiyedatiwa said the caretaker chairmen are to remain suspended until a court of law determines the matter.

In a letter signed by Alonge Adewale of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the governor directed the suspended caretaker chairmen to hand over all properties belonging to the LCDC.

The letter read: “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.
“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.”

An Akure High Court presided over by Justice Yemi Fasanmi had granted an interim injunction filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which sought to restrain late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local councils and the LCDAs, pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction in the suit. Justice Fasanmi later barred the caretaker chairmen from operating after they resumed office on the excuse that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.