The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, has called for the immediate resignation of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Kayode Ajulo, for violating his oath of office.
The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, faulted Ajulo on his stand that the governor has the right to appoint Transition Committee in the local government and LCDAs in the state.
The party challenged Ajulo to cite the portion of the Constitution that empowers the governor to appoint Transition Committee as caretaker chairmen to be in charge of the local government or LCDAs in any of the states in the country.
The statement read: “If a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is expected to know the laws of our land is the person urging Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa to trample on our Constitution and Supreme Court pronouncement, then, he no longer deserves to serve as the Chief Law Officer of the State.
“In a landmark judgment on Thursday, 11th July 2024, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court of Nigeria declared that democratically elected Local Government was sacrosanct and non-negotiable.
“Justice Emmanuel Agim who delivered the judgment, said” State governments are perpetuating a dangerous trend by refusing to allow democratically elected Local Government Councils to function, instead appointing their loyalists who can only be removed by them”.
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“It is very unfortunate that Ajulo tried in vain to legitimise the illegality of his Governor the same day the Supreme Court made the declaration.
“The apex Court in Nigeria has spoken and the Attorney General is saying something different. Which Constitution was Ajulo referring to as authority for appointing the Transition Committees? You cannot put something on anything and expect it to stand.
“Our party wishes to advise those appointed into these offices not to allow themselves to be used. Because every kobo they spend in these phantom offices will be legally recovered from them.
“Since Kayode Ajulo, is incapable of advising the Governor according to law, he is advised to resign immediately”
Meanwhile, a member of the Transition Committee appointed by Governor Aiyedatiwa, Hon. Sikemi Anita Atibere, has rejected her appointment as the Chairman of Ilaje Central, LCDA, Ode-Ugbo in Ilaje local government area.
Atibere in a letter addressed to Governor Aiyedatiwa, did nothing about her rejection for any reason but appreciated the governor for the honour.
The letter of rejection read: “I have been inundated with numerous calls and messages following my reappointment by Your Excellency, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to serve as member of Ilaje Central LCDA, Ode-Ugbo as announced.
“I am not ungrateful that you trusted my suitability and experience while I was appointed to serve as Chairman of Ilaje Central, LCDA, Ode-Ugbo by your late boss, Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“While I continue to contribute my quota to our great party, APC in Ondo State and after careful deliberation, I respectfully reject the appointment to serve as a member of Ilaje Central LCDA, Ode-Ugbo”.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE