Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has described the judgment of a Federal High Court barring him from seeking re-election as an unnecessary distraction, insisting that he has never declared interest in contesting another governorship election.

Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television in response to the court decision, the governor said the public had been misled by various narratives circulating on social media, stressing that he had never indicated any intention to run in another election.

According to him, there is currently no timetable for a governorship election in the state, and he has taken no steps indicating such an ambition.

“I would like to start with just clarifying a bit of sanity as regards this matter. Let me establish some truth so that the general public can have a better understanding of what has been and what is now. A lot has been said on social media, and there are a lot of misconceptions and opinions trying to distort the truth.

“But the truth is that I have never at any time declared to anybody that I am going to contest an election. I said this about a year ago. It is not time for any governorship election in this state.

“There is no timetable. There is no sign of any election, and I have not expressed interest at any time that I am going to run for the office of the governor again because it is not yet time,” he said.

The governor also clarified that he did not approach the court to seek eligibility to contest any election, explaining that the case was initiated by other individuals seeking clarification on his eligibility.

Aiyedatiwa maintained that the legal battle would not distract him from his focus on governance and from delivering on the promises he made to the people of Ondo State.

“I don’t feel any form of distraction. I feel good, and I will continue doing my work for the good people of Ondo State. I want to fulfil the promises that I made during my campaign and ensure that I deliver,” he said.

Responding to questions on whether he had ever considered contesting another election, the governor said his focus remained on delivering on the fresh mandate he recently secured.

“I had an election. I completed the tenure of my late principal, and I contested the election, which I won on November 16, 2024. It is still fresh. I have never thought about any other election other than delivering on the fresh mandate that has been given to me,” he said.

The governor also denied allegations that he was pushing political opponents out of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State. He said politics thrives on numbers and insisted he was instead encouraging more people to join the party.

The governor also dismissed suggestions of a rift with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stating that they remain members of the same political family.

“The young man you mentioned, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, I don’t have any issue with him. If you ask him, he will tell you he has no issue with me. Politics is laden with interest, and people have different interests, so sometimes you see push and pull,” he said.