Tope Temokun, a human rights lawyer, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to refrain from inaugurating Transition Committees for the state’s 18 local councils. Instead, Temokun advocates for the lawful approach of directing the State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) to hold elections within a reasonable timeframe.
In a letter dated July 12, 2024, Temokun expressed his concerns, stating that inaugurating Transition Committees would be detrimental to the state. He highlighted that these committees, tasked with overseeing local councils, are unconstitutional as per the Supreme Court’s rulings. Temokun urged the governor to instruct ODIEC to organize local government elections promptly to establish democratically elected councils.
Temokun pointed out that the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission allocates 20.60% of federal revenue to local governments and 26.72% to states through the Federation Account Allocation Committee. However, only democratically-elected local councils are eligible for this funding. He warned that implementing Transition Committees in Ondo State would not only violate the Supreme Court’s order but also deny the local governments their share of federal revenue, thereby exacerbating poverty among citizens.
He emphasized the need to dissolve the Transition Committees immediately and encourage those interested in local government roles to prepare for the upcoming ODIEC-conducted elections. According to Temokun, this would allow candidates to test their popularity and credibility at the polls.
Temokun urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to prioritize the state’s progress over political correctness. He warned that if the governor proceeds with the inauguration of the Transition Committees, he would seek legal action to nullify the inauguration and ensure elections are held.
In a statement on Thursday, Temokun accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of bypassing constitutional duties by allegedly avoiding local council elections. He demanded explanations from ODIEC regarding the sudden postponement of elections, cautioning against deceptive practices.
Temokun criticized the legitimacy of the Transition Committees appointed by the governor, arguing they lack accountability and deny legal recourse to appointees. He warned against the continued operation of these committees, describing them as perpetuating outdated and unconstitutional governance practices. Temokun also condemned any non-elected bodies overseeing local government affairs, declaring them illegal under the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.