By Ayodele Oni
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said he has not declared any intention to seek re-election in 2028, insisting that discussions around his eligibility and tenure remain premature.
The governor, who just clocked a year in office last month, also dismissed the legal challenge filed against him over the constitutional interpretation of his tenure, noting that the matter should be left for the courts to determine.
Aiyedatiwa had served out remaining tenure of late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu before being elected for a fresh tenure in 2024 and sworn in February last year.
Those opposing him had based their argument on the fact that he is not eligible constitutionally to be sworn in for the third time after expiration of his tenure.
Speaking during a media interview in akure, Aiyedatiwa said he was surprised that a case was instituted against him despite the fact that no governorship election process had begun.
“I have not told anybody that I’m running. An election is a process. You first of all show interest, expression of interest, and there will have to be a timetable by the party and the umpire, INEC,” he said.
He maintained that there was currently no basis for a legal action since no election timetable had been released and he had not obtained nomination forms.
“There is no governorship election timetable for Ondo State. There is no expression of interest, there is no nomination form. Why are you taking me to court?” he asked.
The governor further argued that, as a sitting governor, he enjoys constitutional immunity and should not be dragged to court except on matters relating to elections.
“I’m a governor with immunity. The case you are referring to, do you call it a pre-election matter or post-election? Why would I be taken to court in the first place?” he queried.
Aiyedatiwa pointed out that the court case was based on speculation that he might seek another term in office, stressing that he had not made any such declaration.
“Some people are saying 2028. Maybe that is their fear, and they went to court. But I have not declared that I am running any election.”
The legal dispute centres on the interpretation of Section 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended by the Fourth Alteration), which states that a person who is sworn in as governor to complete the tenure of another elected governor “shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
However, the governor said interpretations of the constitutional provision vary among legal experts and should ultimately be determined by the judiciary.
“The law is the law. I’m not the one that will interpret the law. Let the judiciary decide,” he said.
He noted that several lawyers have raised questions about whether completing a short unexpired tenure should automatically count as a full term.
“Somebody asked a question: if that unexpired tenure is two months, will you count that as a term? If it is one week, will you count it as a term?” he said.
According to him, different legal commentators have also argued that the constitutional provision refers specifically to being elected multiple times.
“Some people say the act is talking about somebody not to be elected three times. So you have different interpretations,” he added.
Aiyedatiwa stated that he would leave the matter to the courts rather than engage in legal arguments in the public space.
“I’m not a lawyer, and I don’t want to go into all of that discussion. Let the judiciary interpret the law.”
The governor also questioned the legality of the suit filed against him, insisting that it should be struck out because there is no cause of action.
“For now, I have not declared that I’m running for any election. There is no timetable. Where is the cause of action?” he asked.
He stressed that any legal challenge regarding his eligibility to contest again should only arise when the electoral process begins.
“Wait until that time when I come out that I want to run, then you can take me to court. I have immunity and I have not declared for any election,” he added.
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