-
Federal High Court of Nigeria rules against another term bid by Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
-
Court says re-contesting would violate constitutional eight-year limit.
-
Suit filed by APC member Akin Egbuwalo.
A Federal High Court of Nigeria sitting in Akure has barred the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, from contesting the 2028 governorship election in the state.
Delivering judgment, Justice Adegoke held that allowing the governor to seek another term would violate the constitutional limit of eight years in office.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Aiyedatiwa first assumed office on December 27, 2023, following the death of former governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He was later sworn in again on February 24, 2025 after winning the November 16, 2024 governorship election.
READ ALSO: Court Declares Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Ineligible for 2028 Governorship Election
The suit was filed by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Akin Egbuwalo, through his counsel, Adeniyi Akintola, who asked the court to interpret Section 137(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as it relates to the governor’s tenure.
Egbuwalo argued that since Aiyedatiwa had taken two oaths of office—first as successor to Akeredolu and later as an elected governor—the Constitution limits him to only one additional term.
In its ruling, the court relied on the Marwa v. Nyako decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which established that no president or governor can remain in office for more than eight years.
The court subsequently upheld the plaintiff’s arguments and granted all the reliefs sought in the suit.
Meanwhile, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria sitting in Abuja had earlier dismissed an appeal filed by Aiyedatiwa challenging a Federal High Court ruling that allowed an amendment to the suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2028 election.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court held that the appeal lacked merit and awarded N2 million in costs against the governor.
