NNPP petitions CJN over appointment of LGAs, LCDAs transition committees in Ondo

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has petitioned Olukayode Ariwoola, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), over the appointment of transition committees by Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, in the 18 LGAs and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) of the state.

On Tuesday, Aiyedatiwa directed members of the transition committees for the LGAs and LCDAs in the state to assume office.

In a joint statement by Peter Olagookun, the NNPP state chairman, and Adekunle Oluwayomi, the secretary, the opposition party described the directive by the governor as a gross violation of the recent judgment of the supreme court.

The party called for the resignation of Kayode Ajulo, Ondo attorney-general and commissioner for justice, over his “flagrant disobedience” to the court’s judgment.

“We are constrained to bring to your attention the report of gross misconduct and flagrant disobedience of court judgment against Dr. Kayode Ajulo, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner of Justice of Ondo State, bordering on the ignoble role he played in the matter,” the petition reads.

“In flagrant disobedience to the validly given judgement of the Ondo state high court given on 20/06/2024 and in an attempt to over-reach the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on 11/07/2024, the governor of Ondo state announced the constitution of caretaker committees for the 33 LCDAs and the 18 LGAs and, under the cover of the night, surreptitiously swore them in, in flagrant disobedience to these subsisting orders of court.

“This act of Dr Kayode Ajulo has been widely criticised by the people of Ondo state and there have been calls for him to resign his position as the Attorney-General and the chief law officer of the state.

“This act is, to say the least, unbecoming of the person occupying the exalted position of the office of the Attorney-General, the chief law officer of a state, and also a member of the inner bar.

“It is, therefore, reasonable to say that his membership in the inner bar and position as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is unmerited and therefore should be withdrawn.

“We are aware of the fact that persons found not to be worthy of holding the position of SAN have had such positions stripped off them by this August office.”