I Have Not Told Anyone I Want To Run As Gov Again Because It Is Not Yet Time – Aiyedatiwa

The Governor of Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State says he has never declared an intention to contest another governorship election, describing a recent court judgement barring him from recontesting as an unnecessary distraction.

Speaking during a live television interview while reacting to the ruling of the Federal High Court in Akure, the governor said public narratives circulating on social media had created misconceptions about his position.

Aiyedatiwa insisted that he had not at any time informed anyone that he planned to seek another term, stressing that there was no timetable yet for any governorship election in the state.

“I would like to start with just clarifying a bit of sanity as regards to this matter. Let me establish some 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 and there are a lot of misconceptions and opinions trying to distort the truth,” he stated, adding “But the truth is that I have never at any time declared to anybody that I am going to contest an election. I have said this about a year ago. It is not time for any governorship election in this state.”

He explained further “There is no timetable. There is no sign of any election and I have not expressed interest at any time that I am going to run for the office of the governor again because it is not yet time.”

The governor also clarified that he did not institute the court action to determine his eligibility to contest any election, explaining that the suit was filed by other individuals seeking legal interpretation.

Aiyedatiwa maintained that the legal process would not distract him from focusing on governance and fulfilling the promises he made to the people of the 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 fulfil the promises that I made during my campaign and ensure that I deliver,” he declared. 

The governor noted that his attention remains on the mandate he secured in the governorship election held on November 16, 2024, after previously completing the tenure of his late principal.

“I had an election. I completed the tenure of my late principal and I contested the election which I won on November 16, 2024. It is still fresh. I have never thought about any other election other than delivering on the fresh mandate that has been given to me,” he emphasised. 

While acknowledging that he is aware of constitutional provisions concerning tenure limits, the governor said he had not begun to consider any future political ambition.

“You have to take things step by step even though I am aware of the constitutional provisions that say a deputy who completes the tenure of his principal can only continue one more time.

“I also know that the law talks about a Nigerian having the right 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,” he added.

The governor also denied allegations that he was pushing political opponents out of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

According to Aiyedatiwa, politics thrives on numbers and he would rather encourage more people to join the ruling party.

“It is not possible because politics is a game of numbers. Rather I want more people to join our party, the APC. Some people may have different interests but the party is so big that you cannot drive anybody away,” he disclosed. 

Aiyedatiwa also dismissed suggestions of a rift between him and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, saying both remain members of the same political family.

“The young man you mentioned, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, I don’t have any issue with him. If you ask him, he will tell you he does not have any issue with me. Politics is laden with interest and people have different interests, so sometimes you see push and pull,” he insisted.

The governor further rejected claims that the death of some individuals during the party’s congress in the state was linked to internal disputes within the APC, explaining that the incident was related to issues within the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

He also said efforts had been made to widen participation in party consultations since he assumed office.

“When I came on board as governor, I inherited a list of 10 members from each local government for stakeholders’ meetings.

“I expanded it to 20 per local government and later increased it to 30. Today we have 60 stakeholders per local government attending meetings every quarter. That is about 1,080 members. So where is the claim that people are being driven away? I am bringing more people into the party,” he said.

On whether he would challenge the judgement of the Federal High Court, the governor said he had not yet seen the details of the ruling and would consult his lawyers before deciding on the next step.

“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 seeking further interpretation they will advise. I cannot say yes or no for now,” he revealed.

Aiyedatiwa noted that Nigeria’s judicial system provides several layers of adjudication, including the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which he described as the final authority on constitutional interpretation.

“This is the first time this kind of case is happening in the constitution of Nigeria. We must look at it carefully so that there will be an authority on the matter for the future,” he said.

He also clarified that an earlier appeal filed by his lawyers was related to preliminary objections during the proceedings and not the judgement recently delivered by the court.

“The appeal that was filed earlier was not about today’s judgement. It was about preliminary objections when certain rulings were made earlier by the presiding judge,” he stated.

Reiterating his position, the governor said the constitution remains the guiding framework for governance while its interpretation ultimately lies with the judiciary.

“My view is as stated in the constitution. The constitution is the ground rule and the interpretation lies in the hands of the judiciary. I am not a lawyer. Those saddled with the responsibility will interpret it,” he rounded off.