The Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has ruled that the creation of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) by the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is unconstitutional and illegal. According to Presiding Judge, Justice A.O Adebusuoye, the LCDAs were not lawfully established.
In September 2023, Akeredolu signed the bill establishing the councils into law, which was passed by the state House of Assembly members after the third reading. The newly created LCDAs have been co-existing with the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state, bringing the total to 51.
The court’s decision comes months after Akeredolu’s death on December 27, 2023. His deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was sworn in as governor following his demise.