By James Sowole in Akure
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday said he had not appealled against any judgment on the case filed by the chairmen and councilors elected in April 2016 in the state.
Akeredolu stated this during his meeting with workers at the Governor’s Office, Alagbaka in Akure, the state capital.
“I didn’t appeal against any local government court case; I do not have any knowledge of it. It’s just a figment of imagination from some people,” he stated.
There were reports last Sunday that the governor had appealled against a judgment of an Akure High Court which ruled that no government or its agent should dissolve the elected government in the third tier level.
The judgment in the suit filed by the Chairman of Akure South Local Government Area, Mr. Adebayo Alarapon, on behalf of his colleagues in the 18 local government areas and the councillors, was delivered by the then Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi.
The plaintiffs averred that since they were elected for three years, no government or its agents has the right to terminate their tenure which shall end by 2019.
The prayers of the chairman and councilors who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were granted by the then Chief Judge.
Despite the judgment, there had been apprehension on the tenure of the local government area and councilors since the PDP lost the governorship election in November 2016.
Akeredolu, who promised to run an open administration, urged the people to be critical about his government but however advised them to be constructive in their criticisms.
While calling on the people to be patient with the government, the governor was optimistic that the state shall move forward.
“We have bitumen but nothing is going on there but before our two years in office, we shall export bitumen.
“Before March, federal government shall commence cocoa rejuvenation and the programme shall commence in this state
“I have nothing against any permanent secretary, all I need from all civil servants is dedication,” he said.
