Ondo Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa Dismisses Court Ban, Says He Has Not Declared 2028 Election Bid
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dismissed a Federal High Court ruling barring him from contesting the 2028 governorship election, saying the judgment is a distraction and stressing that he has not declared interest in another term.
The Akure-based court had on Thursday restrained the governor from participating in the next election.
Speaking on Channels Television on Friday, Aiyedatiwa clarified that he has never indicated any plans to run again.
“I would like to start with just clarifying a bit of sanity as regards to this matter. Let me establish some truth so that the general public can have a better understanding of what has been and what is now,” he said.
“The truth is that I have never at any time declared to anybody that I am going to contest an election. It is not time for any governorship election in this state. There is no timetable. There is no sign of any election, and I have not expressed interest at any time that I am going to run for the office of the governor again because it is not yet time,” Aiyedatiwa added.
He noted that the case was not filed by him and insisted it would not affect his work in the state. “I don’t feel any form of distraction. I feel good and I will continue doing my work for the good people of Ondo state,” he said.
The governor said his focus remains on delivering the mandate given to him by voters in the November 16, 2024 governorship election. “I completed the tenure of my late principal, and I contested the election, which I won on November 16, 2024. It is still fresh. I have never thought about any other election other than delivering on the fresh mandate that has been given to me,” he said.
Acknowledging constitutional provisions on tenure limits, Aiyedatiwa said he has not considered another contest. On the possibility of challenging the ruling, he said he had not yet seen the full judgment and would consult his lawyers.
“The judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Akure is a judgment of the court. I have not seen the details. My lawyers will look at it and advise,” he said, adding that the matter could still be reviewed by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The judgment was delivered by Toyin Bolaji Adegoke of the Federal High Court in Akure.
