Hon. Donald Ojogo, the representative for Ilaje/ Ese- Odo Federal Constituency in Ondo State, has urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to halt the inauguration of the Transition Committees within the LGAs and 33 LCDAs following a recent Supreme Court ruling.
In a formal communication released in Akure, the state capital, Ojogo advocated for the prevention of any "needless socio-political impasse" in light of the Supreme Court decision. The statement, titled "Supreme Court verdict/ Ondo LCDAs: Let’s avoid the looming impasse," underscored the significance of the court's ruling that granted full financial autonomy to Local Governments, characterizing it as a positive step forward.
Ojogo, a former information commissioner, acknowledged the supportive remarks of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, praising the verdict as a promising development for rural populations in Nigeria. He emphasized the uniqueness of the judgement and its contribution to the country's legal framework, encouraging stakeholders and grassroots leaders to embrace and adjust to this landmark decision.
Taking advantage of the Apex Court's order, Ojogo appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to delay the swearing-in of the Transition Committees, citing the potential political complications stemming from the Supreme Court ruling. He cautioned that proceeding with the inauguration of the LGAs and LCDAs could disrupt the governance structure envisioned for communities, particularly those anticipating enhanced local governance through the newly created LCDAs.
Expressing concern about the unintended consequences of pushing forward with the inauguration, Ojogo warned of growing mistrust and political tensions that could arise from the altered balance of power prescribed by the court. He highlighted the impact on several localities within the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, urging a return to the original 18 LGAs as established by an earlier ruling of the Ondo State High Court to avert potential challenges posed by the Supreme Court decision.