The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State chapter has called for the resignation of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, over his stance on the appointment of transition committees for the 18 local councils and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement issued and made available to The Guardian by its publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, PDP emphasised that Ajulo goofed after disclosing that the constitution of the committee was within the constitutional rights of the governor.
While describing the move of Aiyedatiwa as illegal, the opposition party maintained that the Attorney-General ought to have advised the governor by virtue of his position as chief legal officer of the state.
On Thursday, a few hours after the landmark Supreme Court judgement that granted full autonomy to local governments, Ajulo stated that Aiyedatiwa was right in appointing transition committees in the 18 councils and 33 LCDAs.
According to Peretei, who stressed that Ajulo’s position contradicted the verdict of the seven-man panel of the apex court, it is very unfortunate that Ajulo tried in vain to legitimise the illegality of his governor the same day the Supreme Court made the declaration.
“The apex court in Nigeria has spoken, and the Attorney General is saying something different.
“Which Constitution was Ajulo referring to as authority for appointing the Transition Committees? You cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand. Since Kayode Ajulo, SAN, is incapable of advising the Governor according to law, he is advised to resign immediately.”
However, one of those appointed as a member of the transition committee of Ilaje Central LCDA, Sikemi Atibere, has rejected the appointment.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Ilaje/Ese Odo federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Donald Ojogo, has urged Aiyedatiwa to exercise caution when inaugurating members of the Transition Committees in order to prevent political crises in the state.
Ojogo, in a statement, advised the governor to tarry in the swearing-in of the committee members in the various local government areas and LCDAS following the Supreme Court judgement on local government autonomy.
Also, a lawyer and right activist, Tope Temokun, has vowed to drag the state government to court if transition committees are inaugurated by Aiyedatiwa.
“Your Excellency, we must be courageous enough to let political correctness die at this time so that Ondo State can live, as this today remains the only path of progress we can toe today in Ondo State.
“Your Excellency, after this patriotic entreaty for the good of our state, if Your Excellency still considers the planned inauguration non-negotiable and proceeds with it, then for the good of our dear state, I shall proceed to court without delay to seek nullification of the inauguration and immediate election into our local councils.”
