Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has dismissed claims that he is pursuing a second term in office, describing the speculation as premature and the legal battles over his tenure as needless distractions, despite a ruling by the Federal High Court barring him from contesting the 2028 governorship election.
The governor made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on the television programme Politics Today on Channels Television, where he said his focus remains on governance rather than future elections.
Aiyedatiwa noted that he had been in office for only about a year and had not declared any intention to seek re-election, insisting that his administration was concentrating on fulfilling campaign promises made to residents of the state.
“I have not presented myself for another election. I was sworn in about a year ago. I’ve not presented for any election; that is not even a thought. All I’m facing is just to govern and deliver our electioneering promises. All of these court cases are unnecessary distractions,” he said.
The governor also clarified that he had never publicly indicated plans to contest another election nor approached any court to determine his eligibility for such a bid.
According to him, “I have never at any time declared to the public that I was going to contest an election, having just been sworn in about a year ago. I did not approach the court to seek eligibility to contest an election.”
However, when asked whether he would consider seeking another term if the issue eventually reaches the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the decision favours him, Aiyedatiwa said he would leave the decision to the people and the law.
“Let me do this if I impress the people so well and they ask me to continue, and if the law permits, why not?” he said.
His comments came shortly after the Federal High Court sitting in Akure ruled that Aiyedatiwa cannot contest the 2028 governorship election in the state.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke held that the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended, does not allow an elected governor or deputy governor to remain in office for more than eight years.
The court ruled that allowing Aiyedatiwa to seek another term would amount to a breach of the constitutional limit, dismissing arguments that the suit was speculative while affirming the court’s authority to interpret provisions of the Constitution.
The suit was filed by Akin Egbuwalo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, who instituted the case against the governor, his deputy Olayide Adelami and the ruling party over questions surrounding the governor’s eligibility for another term.
