‘Aiyedatiwa Lobbies National Assembly To Amend Constitution Over Re-Election Eligibility’

There are indications that the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has begun discreet efforts to lobby members of the National Assembly for the amendment of Section 183(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration, No. 16) Act, 2017.

The provision, which came into effect on June 1, 2019, under former President Muhammadu Buhari, stipulates that a person who assumes the office of governor due to death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity is only eligible to serve one additional term of four years.

Sources within the state government, speaking to Vanguard in Akure, the state capital, revealed that lobbying National Assembly members is just one part of the governor’s political strategy to avoid being constrained by the current provisions of the amended section of the Constitution.

An associate of Governor Aiyedatiwa disclosed that no fewer than six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have been consulted to seek a Supreme Court interpretation regarding the issue.

Aiyedatiwa, who assumed the governorship office on December 27, 2023, following the death of his predecessor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), is entitled to only one additional term.

His first full term began on February 25, 2025, following his victory in the November 2024 governorship election.

However, barely three months into his tenure, supporters of Aiyedatiwa have started campaigning on social media for his re-election in 2028.

A few weeks ago, one of Aiyedatiwa’s Senior Special Assistants, Kehinde Akinrotoye, shared an opinion article by Shola Elekan, which argued that Aiyedatiwa remains eligible to contest in the 2028 governorship election.

Elekan argued that despite Aiyedatiwa assuming the office of governor in December 2023, he should still be eligible to run for re-election in 2028.

He cited Section 182(1)(b) of the Constitution, which allows a person to run for the governorship position if they have not been elected to the office in two previous elections.

Elekan further noted that Aiyedatiwa did not become governor through an election in 2023 and that his first election as governor would be in November 2024.

A senior aide to the governor, who is also a prominent figure in the ruling party, confirmed the ongoing lobbying efforts to amend Section 183(3) of the Constitution.

The aide said, “Well, it’s too early to publicly discuss the 2028 governorship election when we just concluded the 2024 poll.

“However, that doesn’t mean that behind-the-scenes work is not ongoing ahead of 2028.

“In politics, it’s all about give and take. Two weeks ago, one of the Governor’s nominees for the South West Development Commission (SWDC) board, Razak Obe, was reportedly replaced with Joshua Olufehinti by some influential senators.”

The source also revealed that the governor has approached a senior senator to assist in lobbying lawmakers for a possible constitutional amendment.

The source emphasised that the governor’s lobbying efforts should not be seen as a desperate move or personal ambition, but rather as an effort aimed at ensuring political stability in Ondo State.

According to him, “In Ondo State, there is an unwritten arrangement to rotate the governorship among the three senatorial districts.

“Between 2009 and 2017, former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, from Ondo Central, served eight years.

“He was succeeded by Akeredolu from Ondo North, who, but for his death, would have completed another eight-year cycle in February 2025.

“When former Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi from Ondo South contested against Akeredolu in 2020, the people of Ondo South rejected him, believing it was not yet their turn. Ajayi lost all six local government areas in the district.

“If this section of the Constitution is not amended, it could deprive Ondo South of the chance to produce a governor for a full eight years.

“Electing another person from the South in 2028, other than Aiyedatiwa might lead to rejection by other districts, as it would mean the South would hold power for 12 years.”

Meanwhile, a legal practitioner, Wale Legbon Odusola, has dismissed the calls for Aiyedatiwa’s re-election in 2028, describing those behind the push as political jobbers.

Odusola criticised Elekan’s legal interpretation, arguing that it is intended to distract the governor from his duties.

He said, “As far as the current Constitution is concerned, Mr Aiyedatiwa cannot contest again unless there is an amendment. Section 183(3) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, addresses this issue. It clearly states:

“A person who was sworn in as Governor to complete the term for which another person was elected as Governor shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.’

“This provision was added to the Constitution in 2018 as Act No. 10 and was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. All the precedents cited by the writer refer to the old law. Let us be properly guided.”

He appealed to the governor “to remain focused on his assignment and not be distracted by political jobbers.

An aide to Aiyedatiwa, who spoke with Vanguard, neither denied nor confirmed the latest move of the governor.

According to him, “What’s all this noise about another term for the governor? When we get to the river, we will know how to cross it.

“It’s too early to start talking about this, please. They should stop distracting the governor.

“When the governor finishes his four years, then we will know what to do next. They should just relax and wait as events unfold.”