Appeal Court Halts Ondo Eligibility Case
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, which on Tuesday stopped the Federal High Court from delivering its judgment in a case questioning whether Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa can seek a second term after 2028.
What the court did was to suspend the pending judgment and freeze further action in the suit filed by an APC chieftain, Akin Egbuwalo. The case seeks clarity on constitutional provisions relating to whether Aiyedatiwa’s two swearing-in ceremonies affect his right to contest again.
When the decision came was just a day before the Federal High Court was due to give its verdict. Justice Toyin Bolaji Adegoke had fixed January 28 for judgment after hearing arguments on the governor’s eligibility.
Why the issue arose is tied to Aiyedatiwa’s rise to office. He was first sworn in in December 2024 to complete the tenure of the late Rotimi Akeredolu and later took the oath again in February 2025 after winning the governorship election held in November.
How the appeal reached the higher court followed objections raised by the defendants, who argued that serious issues had been raised against the conduct of the trial court. They asked the Court of Appeal to intervene before judgment was delivered.
What the appellate court decided was that justice would be better served by allowing those concerns to be addressed first. As a result, all proceedings at the Federal High Court have been placed on hold until the appeal is resolved
