The Ondo State Government has dissolved the local government caretaker committees in the state.

There are 18 local government areas in the state.

Following the dissolution of the committees by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration, the Ministry of Local Government has ordered the Heads of Local Government Administrations (HOLGAs) to take over all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), SaharaReporters learnt on Wednesday.

In November 2023, the State High Court ordered the then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu-led government to stop the inauguration of the Caretaker Committee for LGAs and LCDAs.

The court in a ruling by Justice Yemi Fasanmi, had granted the prayer for interlocutory injunction by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The court restrained the inauguration of any person or persons as a caretaker committee member in any local government area or local council development area pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The defendants/respondents in the suit are the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly and Attorney-General of Ondo State.

The State House of Assembly had earlier approved the appointment of 51 nominees to head the Interim Management Committee of the 18 local government areas and local council development areas of the state.

The late Akeredolu had earlier sent the list of the nominees to the assembly for screening.

After the screening, the House during its plenary on Tuesday, approved the 51 nominees.

Also in November 2023, a legal practitioner, Vincent Adodo, wrote a letter to the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Titiloye Charles, over the illegal appointment of a caretaker committee for the 18 local government areas and the 33 local council development areas of the state by the House of Assembly.

The letter obtained by our heritage reporter was titled: “Appointment Of Caretaker Chairmen/Vice Chairmen For The Eighteen (18) Local Government Areas And The Thirty-three (33) ‘Local Council Development Areas’ In Ondo State By The Ondo State House Of Assembly: An Act Of Unbridled Legislative Illegality And Affront To The Nigerian Constitution, Judicial Pronouncements Of The Supreme Court Of Nigeria And Disregard To The High Court Of Ondo State; A Call On Your Good Office To Restore And Enforce The Rule of Law.”