A Federal High Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has barred Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from contesting the 2028 governorship election, ruling that seeking another term would violate the constitutional limit on how long a person can occupy the office of governor.
The case was filed by an All Progressives Congress chieftain, Dr Akin Egbuwalo, who asked the court to interpret constitutional provisions regarding the eligibility of Aiyedatiwa and his deputy to seek another term. The suit focused on whether the governor could legally contest again after having already taken the oath of office twice.
Aiyedatiwa first became governor on December 27, 2023, after the death of former governor Rotimi Akeredolu. He was later sworn in again on February 24, 2025, after winning the Ondo State governorship election.
The court ruled that allowing him to contest again in 2028 would exceed the constitutional limit of eight years for a governor in office. According to the judgment, the period he spent completing Akeredolu’s tenure counts toward the maximum time allowed under the constitution.
The development follows an earlier decision by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by Aiyedatiwa challenging aspects of the case. The appellate court held that the lower court acted properly and that the governor failed to show any miscarriage of justice.
Although the ruling prevents him from contesting the 2028 election, the governor still has the option of challenging the judgment at the Supreme Court if he decides to pursue further legal action.
