Ondo; “Court Documents Reveal Ongoing Confusion: LG/LCDA Caretaker Committees Reportedly Still in Office Despite Suspension”
A statement signed Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alonge Adewale announcing indefinite suspension of caretaker committees of 18 local government areas and that of the 33 Local Council Development Areas has begun to generate another round of political crisis in the state.
The Permanent Secretary had on Wednesday directed Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs and LCDAs to takeover in acting capacity.
Alonge Adewale had allegedly ignored the Appeal filed in Suit No: AK/390/2023 filed by both the Caretaker Chairmen of the 51 LGs:/ LCDAs and the state government at the appellate court seeking “An Order setting aside the two Rulings in respect of the Motions on Notice for setting aside/discharging the ex-parte of Interim Injunction and for Interlocutory Injunction delivered by the Hon. Justice Yemi Fasanmi of the Ondo State High Court, Akure Division on the 21st day of December, 2023 in Suit No: AK/390/2023 between PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY Vs GOVERNOR OF ONDO STATE & 3 OTHERS.
“An Order granting the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on the 7th day of December, 2023 to set aside/discharge the ex-parte order of interim injunction which the Trial Court granted against the Appellants on the 30th day of November, 2023.
“An Order that the substantive suit be heard before a Judge of the Ondo State High Court other than Hon. Justice Yemi Fasanmi.”
According to the circular dated January 2, 2024 with serial no: CMG 953/33 and addressed to all HOLGAS, Alonge Adewale stated that “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.
“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.
“Kindly give the content of this letter the urgent attention it deserves, please.”
Political gladiators, particularly the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s loyalists and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s supporters, have started another round of face-off over the Permanent Secretary’s circular which has been described as prejudicial and taking side with the opposition party despite the suit filed at the Appeal Court on the matter.
Sources revealed that the crisis that erupted in the opposition party on Tuesday in which the party’s state chairman, Fatai Adams, was suspended by his State Working Committee(SWC) for anti-party activities, was unconnected with the alleged deal between some chieftains of the party (PDP) and the faction supporting the governor to allegedly scuttle the constituted caretaker committees to pave way for the newly sworn in governor to reconstitute the committee with his cronies.
Investigations revealed that some politicians, especially members of All Progressives Congress(APC), have begun to strategise on how to frustrate the alleged deal between the PDP chieftains and the governor’s faction.
A chieftain of APC, who preferred anonymity, said: “The circular by the Permanent Secretary is an agenda by the faction of the deputy governor, now governor, to uproot all loyalists of Aketi from this administration.
“This is another round of crisis in our party and no one can say when this is going to end. Mr. President has tried his best, but these people are not ready to embrace peace.
“Where did the Permanent Secretary get the judgment which says caretaker committees have been suspended? Is he pretending not to be aware of the appeal suit and stay of execution filed by the caretaker chairmen and that of the state government at the Appeal Court.”
However, the growing crisis within the APC may deeply divide the ruling party in the lead-up to the November 2024 governorship election in the state.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa may also face serious challenge in managing the situation and unite the party as advised by President Tinubu following the demise of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
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