Court Rules Aiyedatiwa Ineligible for 2028 Election

On Thursday, a Federal High Court in Akur, Ondo State, ruled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is ineligible to contest for another term in the 2028 governorship election. This decision arose from a suit filed by Akin Egbuwalo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which sought judicial interpretation of Section 137(3) of the Nigerian Constitution concerning Aiyedatiwa's eligibility.

The court held that Aiyedatiwa, who was sworn in on December 27, 2023, to complete the tenure of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, cannot serve beyond the stipulated eight years in office, which includes the upcoming election scheduled for November 16, 2024. Justice Toyin Adegok emphasized that the court's ruling was based on established legal precedents, specifically referencing the Supreme Court case of Marwa v.

Nyako. The court found merit in the plaintiff's case and dismissed Aiyedatiwa's appeal against an earlier ruling, affirming that he cannot seek re-election.