A Federal High Court in Akure has barred Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from seeking another term in office.
Delivering the judgment today, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke ruled that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not allow an elected President, Vice President, Governor, or Deputy Governor to remain in office for more than eight years.
Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2024, following the death of his predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to complete the remaining tenure.
He was later sworn in on February 24, 2025, after winning the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
The suit was filed by Ondo APC member Kin Egbuwalo, who questioned the governor’s eligibility to contest for a second term.
The case named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Governor Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami as defendants.
Justice Adegoke emphasized that only the submissions from the plaintiff, INEC, and the Attorney-General would be considered, noting that the remaining defendants’ processes were abandoned as they did not participate in the hearing.
The court dismissed objections claiming the suit was speculative, ruling instead that it presented a valid cause of action.
The judge cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Marwa v. Nyako, which affirmed that no President or Governor can stay in office beyond eight years, stating that allowing Aiyedatiwa to run for another four-year term would contradict this principle.
Consequently, the court granted the plaintiff’s requested reliefs, effectively barring the governor from re-election.
