Date Published: 06/24/09

Ondo appoints Caretaker Committee for LGs as court sacks Agagu’s chairmen

An Ondo High Court on Wednesday sacked the 18 local government Chairmen and their Councillors put in place by the former Governor of the State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu on December 17, 2007 as it declared the election that brought them in as illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Nelson Adeyanju who presided over the Court while averring that the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) did not follow the laid down laid down procedure by not adhering to the mandatory 150 days allowed by the law before the conduct of election. He, therefore, described the purported election of the Plaintiffs on December17, 2007 as null and void adding that they former council officers should no longer parade themselves as Chairmen and Councillors henceforth.

Meanwhile, sequel to the judgement of the Ondo State High Court, the State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has constituted Caretaker Committees for the local government areas in order to prevent a vacuum in the administration of these important tier of government.

The names of the Chairmen are as follows:

1.      Akure South Local Government- Tayo Oluwatuyi

2.      Akure North Local Government – Simbo Akinola-Obe

3.      Ondo East Local Government – Siji Akindiose

4.      Ondo West Local Government – Ade Adeniyi

5.      Idanre Local Government Area – Taiye Sunday

6.      Akoko North East Local Government – Sunday Afelumo

7.      Akoko North West Local Government – Tope Adebambo

8.      Akoko South West – Pastor Charles Akinniyi

9.      Akoko South East – Emmanuel Oluwole Ogidan

10.    Ifedore Local Government – Chief S. I Ademokun

11.    Odigbo Local Government – Barrister Akinjiyan

12.    Irele Local Government – Shadrach Olowojuni

13.    Ose Local Government – Elowofela Solomon

14.    Okitipupa Local Government – Dr. Dapo Iwala

15.     Ilaje Local Government – Prince Adegbenro Nomiye

16.     Ese Odo Local Government Area – Kennedy Perete

17.     Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo Local Government Area – Surveyor Niran Akinniyi

18.     Owo Local Government Area – Adeola Fagbayigbo

Dr Mimiko stated that his government took the action after having waited for the full exercise of the rights of the parties at the courts according to its avowed deference to the rule of law and respect for the rights of all.

His word: “We commend all parties involved, particularly our teeming citizens, party members and supporters and indeed the opposition party for their patience during the long wait for justice to take its course.

“We restate that in this matter, there is no victor and no vanquished, for it is democracy in action. We ask all to remain law abiding and give all the necessary support to the newly appointed Chairmen of Caretaker Committees.”

Dr Mimiko therefore enjoined the appointees to take serious the responsibilities of manning the local government areas pending the full installation of democratically elected Chairmen and Councillors.