In a recent statement, Hon. Olugbenga Edema, the governorship candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), advised Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa against appealing the court's decision regarding the 33 LCDAs, stating that it would be a misuse of taxpayer money, as reported by VANGUARD.
Edema, through his spokesperson Mr. Israel Ayeni, criticized Governor Aiyedatiwa's motives for pursuing the appeal, describing it as self-serving, deceptive, and a reaction to the backlash received over his handling of the LCDAs issue.
Edema argued that the governor should have addressed the grievances of the affected communities through administrative means before the legal case was initiated, rather than allowing the matter to linger in court for months. He pointed out that as the acting governor, Aiyedatiwa had previously overseen the State Executive Council meetings that determined the number of LCDAs and had ample opportunity to consider public concerns regarding the council areas.
According to Edema, the governor’s decision to appeal the lower court’s ruling appears to be aimed at generating financial benefits for his associates in the legal field and the Attorney General’s office under the pretext of legal and consultancy fees. Edema emphasized that the focus should be on restoring the autonomy of the Local Government Areas to enable them to fulfill their constitutional functions and deliver democratic benefits to the grassroots.
In his words: “Going on appeal after the lower court has delivered its judgment is just to create some largesse for his cronies in the legal profession and some officers in the office of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the name of Legal fee, consultancy fee and other ancillary expenses.
“What the Local Government Areas need now is their autonomy to perform their functions as enshrined in the Fourth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), so they can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.”
Assessing Aiyedatiwa's six months in office, Edema labeled the tenure as a significant failure. He noted that the governor had not made any meaningful progress with the state's resources since his assumption of office on December 27 of the previous year. Edema compared this period unfavorably with the accomplishments of the late General Murtala Mohammed, who significantly impacted the country within his six months as head of state by reducing food prices, creating seven new states, and laying the groundwork for the Federal Capital Territory.
Edema also criticized the current administration for abandoning ongoing projects initiated by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and failing to start new ones. He alleged that the governor might be holding back funds meant for state development to influence voters ahead of the November 16 governorship election.