Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has suspended the Caretaker Committees across all the Local Government Areas in the state.

Aiyedatiwa in a circular dated January 2, 2024, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, directed the Heads of Local Government Administration in all the LGAs/LCDAs, to instantly assume responsibility as head of their respective LGAs/ LCDAs in acting capacity, pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.

It would be recalled the Governor was sworn in last week, following death of his predecessor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who died last week Wednesday, due to prolonged prostate cancer.

The newly sworn-in Governor has, however, appointed some individuals, who will be working in his administration, while some of the state executive cabinet members, who worked in Akeredolu’s government, have also resigned from their positions.

However, The Wednesday suspension letter reads: RE: INDEFINITE SUSPENSION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF CARETAKER COMMITTEES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IN ONDO STATE.

It has come to the notice of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that despite the suspension of all recently appointed Caretaker Committee members for Local Government (LGAS) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State by a Court of competent jurisdiction, some individuals in these former positions are still parading themselves in those posts.

2. Consequently, I have been directed to request the Heads of Local Government Administration (HOLGAs) in all the LGAs/LCDAs to immediately assume responsibility as head of their respective Local Government Areas/ LCDAs in acting capacity pending the resolution of all Legal matters relating to this subject.

3. Furthermore, I have also been asked to request all HOLGAs to retrieve without delay, all assets and properties of the LGAs/LCDAs with these former Caretaker Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and other members and to safely keep them within their respective Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.

4. Kindly give the content of this letter the urgent attention it deserves, please.”