Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dismissed claims that he is pursuing re-election, describing the suggestion as premature and the court cases surrounding his tenure as unnecessary distractions, even as a Federal High Court has barred him from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Aiyedatiwa distanced himself from any re-election agenda, stressing that his sole preoccupation remains the delivery of his administration’s promises to the people of Ondo 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, to deliver all our electioneering promises. So, all of these court cases are just unnecessary distractions,” he said.
The governor further clarified that he had neither publicly declared an intention to contest any future election nor approached any court seeking eligibility to do so.
“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,” he added.
However, when pressed on whether he would seek another term if the matter reaches the Supreme Court and a favourable judgment is delivered, Aiyedatiwa said: “Let me do this — if I impress the people so well and they ask me to continue, if the law permits, why not?” he said.
The governor’s denial comes on the heels of a judgment by the Federal High Court in Akure, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, which barred Aiyedatiwa from contesting the 2028 governorship election.
The court held that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, does not permit an elected governor or deputy governor to serve more than eight years in office, and that granting Aiyedatiwa another term would constitute a constitutional violation.
Justice Adegoke dismissed suggestions that the suit was speculative or academic, affirming the court’s inherent jurisdiction to interpret any section of the Constitution.
The suit was instituted by Dr. Akin Egbuwalo, a member of the All Progressives Congress, who dragged the governor, his deputy Dr. Olayide Adelami, and the ruling party to court over the eligibility question.
Aiyedatiwa was first sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and was sworn in again on February 24, 2025, after defeating the Peoples Democratic Party’s Agboola Ajayi in the November 16, 2024, governorship election.
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