Ondo State Government has said that the transition committees for the state’s 33 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, are lawful.
It faulted the position of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which described the committees’ appointment by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as unconstitutional.
The leading opposition party had earlier in the day in a statement by its spokesman in the state, Hon Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, criticised the exercise as illegal.
But the state government in a statement on Thursday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, said the appointment was in order.
The statement said: “The Attorney General of Ondo State notes the press statement issued by the Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the appointment of Transition Committees for 18 Local Government Areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas.
“I wish to clarify that the appointment of Transition Committees is a lawful exercise of the Governor’s constitutional powers. The Committees are intended to ensure seamless transition and continuity of government business in the affected areas.
“The judgment of Hon Justice A.O Adebusuoye on 20th June 2024, only declared the Local Government Creation Law 2023 unconstitutional but did not invalidate the executive and administrative powers of the Governor of Ondo State to take steps that will ensure effective and good governance of any part of the State.
“The legality of the LCDAs is currently the subject of ongoing legal proceedings, which are presently under appeal. The court has taken notice of this appeal. Therefore, the Governor’s appointment of Transition Committees is not in contempt of the court’s judgment, but rather a prudent action to ensure that the business of government continues uninterrupted in the affected areas.
:I urge the PDP to respect the rule of law and allow the legal process to run its full course, rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric. The Ondo State Government remains committed to upholding the laws of the land and ensuring good governance for all citizens.”
Aiyedatiwa appoints transition committees for Ondo LGs, LCDAs
