The question of whether Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa can seek a second full term has deepened into a legal and political quandary after the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed his challenge against a ruling of the Federal High Court in Akure. The development has reignited debate over constitutional interpretation and the future of the state’s executive leadership.
Aiyedatiwa had contested the Federal High Court’s decision that allowed Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to amend his suit questioning the governor’s eligibility to run in 2028. The appeal argued that the trial court’s decision breached his right to a fair hearing and was beyond the court’s powers.
But in a unanimous ruling, a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam upheld the lower court’s order. The appellate court found that Aiyedatiwa had not shown that the amendment caused any miscarriage of justice. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed as lacking merit, with the governor ordered to pay N2 million in costs.
The dispute revolves around Section 182(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states that a person sworn in to complete the term of another governor may only be elected to that office for one additional term. Egbuwalo contends that since Aiyedatiwa first assumed office in December 2024 to complete the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s tenure and then took a second oath following his electoral victory in February 2025, he has effectively served two terms, potentially barring him from contesting in 2028.
Aiyedatiwa had also sought to overturn a January 27, 2026, order by the Court of Appeal that stayed proceedings at the Federal High Court, claiming it prevented the lower court from delivering judgment. The appellate panel rejected this claim, emphasising that the stay was a lawful measure to preserve the integrity of ongoing appellate proceedings. Any attempt to reverse the order, the court noted, would amount to the court reviewing its own decision. The governor was further ordered to pay N2 million in costs.
In response to Monday’s judgment, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, clarified that the ruling did not touch on the substantive issue of Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility, but only addressed the procedural matter of the amendment. “The main case is still pending in court. This appeal concerned only an amendment to that case,” Adeniyan said.
Legal analysts note that while the appellate decision reinforces procedural processes, it does not settle the constitutional question of whether the governor can seek a second full term. That interpretation remains ultimately with the courts, potentially the Supreme Court.
Politically, the ruling has already sparked discussions within Ondo State. Some stakeholders see it as a cautionary signal for Aiyedatiwa to carefully consider his next steps, while party operatives are said to be assessing succession plans and preparing for eventualities in the 2028 governorship race.
As the substantive case continues at the Federal High Court in Akure, the state remains in a state of political suspense. Analysts predict that the coming months will be marked by heightened legal and electoral strategising, as the outcome will shape the direction of governance in Ondo State for years to come.
The unfolding saga highlights the complex interplay between constitutional law and political ambition, with citizens, political actors, and the governor’s camp awaiting clarity on a matter that could define the state’s political landscape.
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