Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has described the Federal High Court verdict barring him from re-contesting the governorship election in 2028 as an unnecessary distraction.
Aiyedatiwa emphasized that he has never declared any interest in contesting another governorship election.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television, the governor said the public had been misled by various narratives circulating on social media. He stressed that at no time had he indicated an intention to run again.
According to him, there is currently no timetable for any governorship election in the state, and he has taken no step suggesting such an ambition.
“I would like to start by clarifying this matter. Let me establish the truth so that the general public can have a better understanding of what has been and what is now.
A lot has been said on social media, with many misconceptions and opinions trying to distort the truth.
But the truth is that I have never at any time declared to anybody that I am going to contest an election.
I said this about a year ago: it is not time for any governorship election in this state.
There is no timetable, no sign of any election, and I have not expressed interest at any time in running for governor again because it is not yet time.”
The governor clarified that he did not approach the court to seek eligibility to contest, explaining that the case was initiated by other individuals seeking clarification on his eligibility.
He maintained that the legal battle would not distract him from governance and delivering on his promises to the people of Ondo State.
“I don’t feel any form of distraction. I feel good, and I will continue doing my work for the good people of Ondo State. I want to fulfill the promises I made during my campaign and ensure that I deliver.”
On whether he had ever considered contesting another election, Aiyedatiwa said his focus remained on delivering on the fresh mandate he recently secured.
“I had an election. I completed the tenure of my late principal and contested the election, which I won on November 16, 2024. It is still fresh. I have never thought about any other election beyond delivering on the fresh mandate given to me.”
He acknowledged constitutional provisions regarding tenure for deputies who complete their principal’s tenure but insisted he had not begun to consider any future contest.
“You have to take things step by step. I am aware of the constitutional provision that says a deputy who completes the tenure of his principal can only continue one more time. I also know the law allows a Nigerian to contest for the same position a maximum of two times, which is eight years. Those provisions are there, but I have not even gone into that thinking because the election is still fresh.”
The governor also denied allegations of pushing political opponents out of the APC in Ondo State, insisting that politics thrives on numbers and that he is encouraging more people to join the party.
He dismissed suggestions of a rift with the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, stating that both remain members of the same political family.
He also clarified that the deaths of some individuals during the APC congress in the state were related to issues within the National Union of Road Transport Workers, not internal party disputes.
Furthermore, he explained that he had expanded the number of stakeholders participating in party meetings since assuming office, increasing representation from 10 to 60 stakeholders per local government.
On whether he would challenge the Federal High Court judgement, Aiyedatiwa said he had not yet seen the details and would consult his lawyers before deciding.
“The judgement delivered by the Federal High Court in Akure is a judgement of the court. I have not seen the details; I only heard about it. My lawyers will look at it, and if there is room for further interpretation, they will advise. I cannot say yes or no for now.”
He noted that the judicial system provides several levels of adjudication, with the Supreme Court being the final authority on constitutional matters.
Finally, he clarified that reports of his lawyers filing an appeal were related to preliminary objections during the proceedings, not the judgement itself.
“The appeal filed earlier was not about today’s judgement. It was about preliminary objections when certain rulings were made earlier by the presiding judge.”
Aiyedatiwa reiterated that the constitution remains the guiding framework for governance and that its interpretation rests with the judiciary.