Aiyedatiwa Rules Out Another Election, Dismisses Ongoing Lawsuits as Unnecessary Distractions

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has rejected claims that he is seeking re-election, labeling such suggestions as premature and the ongoing court cases as unnecessary distractions, despite a Federal High Court ruling that bars him from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state.

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Aiyedatiwa made these comments on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he emphasized that his primary focus is on fulfilling his administration’s promises to the people of Ondo State, rather than pursuing re-election.

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He stated, “I have not presented myself for another election, and it’s not even a thought, as I was sworn in about a year ago and my sole preoccupation is to govern and deliver on our electioneering promises.”

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Aiyedatiwa clarified that he has not publicly declared an intention to contest any future election, nor has he approached any court to seek eligibility to do so, saying “I have never at any time declared to the public that I was going to contest an election, having just been sworn in about a year ago.”

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When asked if he would consider seeking another term if the matter reaches the Supreme Court and a favourable judgment is delivered, Aiyedatiwa responded, “Let me do this — if I impress the people so well and they ask me to continue, if the law permits, why not?”

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The Federal High Court in Akure, presided over by Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke, had ruled that Aiyedatiwa is barred from contesting the 2028 governorship election, citing the 1999 Constitution, which does not permit an elected governor or deputy governor to serve more than eight years in office.

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Justice Adegoke dismissed suggestions that the suit was speculative or academic, affirming the court’s jurisdiction to interpret any section of the Constitution, in a case instituted by Dr. Akin Egbuwalo, a member of the All Progressives Congress.

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Aiyedatiwa was first sworn in on December 27, 2024, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and was sworn in again on February 24, 2025, after winning the November 16, 2024, governorship election against the Peoples Democratic Party’s Agboola Ajayi.