The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has formed transition committees for the 18 local government areas (LGAs) and 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state. However, this move has drawn criticism from the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement issued on Thursday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, it was announced that the transition committees would manage the affairs of the LGAs and LCDAs until the state local government elections are held.

The statement read, “The transition committees are to oversee the affairs of the LGs and LCDAs in the state until the local government election is held by the electoral body. Meanwhile, the state government is currently examining the concerns raised by some communities over the delineations carried out during the creation of the LCDAs to make the necessary amendments. The appointment takes immediate effect.”

However, the PDP has condemned the formation of the transition committees, alleging that it violates a court order. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, issued a statement on Thursday criticizing the governor’s action.

“The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in flagrant disrespect for an Ondo State High Court judgment has appointed transition committees for 18 Local Government Areas and outlawed 33 Local Council Development Areas. On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Hon Justice A.O Adebusuoye pronounced the 33 LCDAs created by Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration as inchoate and unlawfully created. The court held that the Local Government Creation Law 2023 was unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void.”

“Therefore, it is the height of lawlessness and impunity for Aiyedatiwa to appoint committees for LCDAs that are non-existent in the eyes of the law. The PDP Ondo State Chapter wishes to advise the governor to respect the laws of the land and stop embarrassing the people of the state with his actions that make us a laughing stock in the comity of civilized people,” the statement continued.

Previously, an Ondo State High Court in Akure had nullified the creation of the 33 local development council areas in the state, describing them as illegal and unlawful. These LCDAs were established by the former governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu.

The political tension surrounding the appointment of the transition committees highlights ongoing conflicts over local governance and the legalities of administrative changes in Ondo State.