Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has suspended all local government Caretaker Committees.
A circular dated January 2, issued through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, directs Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) to step in as acting heads for their respective areas. This decision comes as some ousted Committee members continue to operate despite a court-ordered suspension.
The circular highlights the Ministry’s awareness of former Committee members persisting in their roles, despite the legal suspension. HOLGAs are now instructed to take charge temporarily, pending the resolution of legal matters. Additionally, they are tasked with promptly retrieving all assets and properties from the former Committee members, ensuring their safekeeping within the respective Local Government Areas and Council Development Areas.
The letter reads:
RE: INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF CARETAKER COMMITTEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN ONDO STATE.
It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State by a Court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in that posts.
2. Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.
3. Furthermore, I have also been asked to request all HOLGAs to retrieve without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs with these former Caretaker Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and other members and to safely keep them within their respective Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
4. Kindly give the content of this letter the urgent attention it deserves, please.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as governor of the state, last week, following the death of the immediate-past Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.