PDP kicks as Ondo gov names transition committees for LGs, LCDAs,

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has constituted transition committees for the 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas in the state.

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has, however, faulted the development.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the transition committees would be in charge of affairs of the LGs and LCDAs until the state LG poll is held.

The statement read partly, “The transition committees are to oversee the affairs of the LGs and LCDAs in the state until the local government election is held by the electoral body.

“Meanwhile, the state government is currently examining the concerns raised by some communities over the delineations carried out during the creation of the LCDAs to make the necessary amendments. The appointment takes immediate effect.”

However, the state PDP has condemned the action of the government in the creation of the transition committees, saying it was a violation of the court order.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei.

“The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in flagrant disrespect for an Ondo State High Court judgment has appointed transition committees for 18 Local Government Areas and outlawed 33 Local Council Development Areas.

“On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Hon Justice A.O Adebusuoye pronounced the 33 LCDAs created by Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration as inchoate and unlawfully created. The court held that the Local Government Creation Law 2023 was unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void.

“Therefore, it is the height of lawlessness and impunity for Aiyedatiwa to appoint committees for LCDAs that are non-existent in the eyes of the law. The PDP Ondo State Chapter wishes to advise the governor to respect the laws of the land and stop embarrassing the people of the state with his actions that make us laughing stock in the comity of civilizmded people,” the statement read.

The PUNCH had reported that an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure,  nullified the creation of 33  local development council areas in the state.

The court described the LCDAs, which were created by the immediate former governor of the state, the late Rotimi Akeredolu, as illegal and unlawful.