The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has ordered the suspension of all the caretaker chairmen across the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA) in the state.
The suspension was contained in a letter signed by Alonge Adewale on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
This was sequel to the order of an Akure High Court of Justice restraining the chairmen from operating.
Justice Yemi Fasanmi had granted an interim injunction filed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to restrain late governor Oluwarotimi 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 LCDA pending the determination of the interlocutory junction in the suit.
Justice Fasanmi consequently barred the caretaker chairmen from operating after they resumed office on the grounds that they had been sworn in before the order was granted.
The letter of suspension of the caretaker chairmen indicated that the directive would subsist until the determination of the court case.
“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.”
The letter asked the suspended Caretaker Chairmen to submit all assets and property of the LGAs/LCDAs.
