Ode Aye community in Ondo State, on Tuesday, dragged Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), to the state High Court sitting in Akure for siting the headquarters of Ikale North Local Council Development Area in Igbotako town instead of Ode Aye.
Starnews Nigeria reported that the state governor had on September 8, 2023, assented to the bill creating 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state.
However, the community, through their lawyer rejected the siting of the headquarters of the new LCDA at Igbotako, maintaining that undue political manipulation and deception were allowed to prevail over objectivity and rationality in the creation of the LCDA.
Joined as defendants in the suit are the Ondo State Governor, the State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the Assembly, and the Attorney General.
The claimants sought “an Order quashing the decision of the defendants to site the headquarters of the newly created Ikale North Local Government Area of Ondo State in Igbotako instead of Ode Aye in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State as contained in “A Law to Provide for Creation of New Local Government Areas in Ondo State, 2023”.
“An Order setting aside the provisions of “A Law to Provide for Creation of New Local Government Areas in Ondo State, 2023” as it concerns and relates to Ikale North Local Government Area of Ondo State with Igbotako as the headquarters as contained in Item 13 Schedule 2 of the Law.
“An Order directing the respondents to recognize and gazette Ode Aye as the headquarters of the newly created Ikale North Local Government Area of Ondo State and alternatively, an Order directing the defendants to allow the claimants to be and remain in Okitipupa Local Government Area in Okitipupa Local Government Council.”
The Presiding Judge, Justice Akitan Osadibe referred the case to the state Chief Judge for reassignment to another Judge.
The Judge informed the counsels that she is on a national assignment at the election petition tribunal in Imo State and that she may not be around until about six months. The case requires expeditious hearing and resolution.
Besides, Counsel to the community, Abayomi Ojo said the prayers of his client were to quash the whole decision taken by the government in respect of the creation of Ikale North LCDA.
