Fresh indications have emerged that Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is making strategic moves to amend a key constitutional provision that could potentially block him from contesting the 2028 governorship election. Credible sources within the state government have confirmed that the governor is lobbying members of the National Assembly to alter Section 183(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended in the Fourth Alteration, No. 16, Act 2017).
The constitutional clause in question states that any individual who assumes the office of governor by completing the tenure of an elected governor due to death, resignation, impeachment, or permanent incapacity, is only eligible to be elected for one additional term of four years. Aiyedatiwa became governor on December 27, 2023, following the death of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN. Though he is currently serving a full term after winning the 2024 election, his eligibility for a subsequent term in 2028 is now at the center of intense legal and political scrutiny.
In a bid to navigate this legal quagmire, no fewer than six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) have reportedly been retained by Aiyedatiwa’s legal team to seek an interpretation of the constitutional provision from the Supreme Court. The outcome of this legal inquiry could have far-reaching implications for succession politics in Ondo State and beyond.
Supporters Push Aiyedatiwa 2028 Campaign Amid Legal Uncertainty
Despite only being a few months into his current term, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists have already begun subtle campaigns for his re-election in 2028. Social media platforms are awash with promotional materials from supporters pushing the narrative that the governor remains constitutionally qualified for another term.
One of his Senior Special Assistants, Mr. Kehinde Akinrotoye, recently amplified an opinion article by legal analyst Shola Elekan, which argued in favour of the governor’s eligibility. Elekan’s interpretation hinges on Section 182(1)(b) of the Constitution, which restricts a person from being elected governor more than twice. He argued that Aiyedatiwa did not ascend to office through an election in 2023 but by constitutional succession, and therefore his first actual election would be in 2024.
Legal and political circles remain divided on this interpretation. While Aiyedatiwa’s supporters see it as a viable path for his continued leadership, critics argue that it violates the spirit of the amended constitution aimed at preventing tenure elongation. Regardless, the early push for a 2028 re-election bid has fueled suspicions about the governor’s long-term ambitions.
Political Lobbying Intensifies in Abuja
Sources within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have confirmed that lobbying at the federal level is in full swing. A top aide to the governor disclosed that Aiyedatiwa is leveraging his political relationships within the National Assembly to push for a constitutional amendment that could allow him a second full term post-2024.
Insiders revealed that the recent replacement of Razak Obe, one of Aiyedatiwa’s nominees for the South West Development Commission (SWDC), with Joshua Olufehinti by influential senators, played a strategic role in opening talks with key figures in the Senate. As a political trade-off, the governor reportedly agreed to back down on Obe’s nomination in exchange for support on a constitutional review.
“The move is not necessarily out of desperation,” said the aide. “It’s about ensuring political stability and maintaining the rotational zoning agreement in the state.” According to him, discussions with a ranking senator in the leadership of the Senate are ongoing, with the aim of sponsoring a bill that would reinterpret or alter Section 183(3) in Aiyedatiwa’s favour.
Zoning Formula and the Ondo South Argument
The tenure debate is also tied closely to the unwritten power rotation arrangement in Ondo State, where the governorship is expected to rotate among the three senatorial districts—North, Central, and South. From 2009 to 2017, Governor Olusegun Mimiko from Ondo Central served two terms, followed by the late Governor Akeredolu from Ondo North, who died before completing his second term.
Governor Aiyedatiwa hails from Ondo South, a district many believe deserves a full eight-year tenure for equity and balance. Political analysts warn that if Aiyedatiwa is denied a second term on constitutional grounds, any attempt to field a new candidate from the South in 2028 could cause discontent across other regions, especially if it implies that the South will hold power for a 12-year stretch.
“It’s a delicate balance,” noted a political analyst. “Zoning helps to stabilize political expectations. If Aiyedatiwa is forced out after just one elected term, it might shortchange the South and disrupt the political equilibrium.” This sentiment is reportedly shaping the lobbying narrative both at the National Assembly and in the Supreme Court.
Legal Community Divided Over Interpretation
Meanwhile, reactions from the legal community have been mixed. Akure-based constitutional lawyer, Barrister Wale Legbon Odusola, dismissed the pro-2028 campaign as a distraction orchestrated by political jobbers. According to him, the framers of the Constitution intended Section 183(3) to check against undue advantage by successors who complete their predecessor’s tenures.
He stressed that the provision is clear: a successor governor is only entitled to one elected term after assuming office due to death or incapacitation. “The law does not distinguish between how the first term is completed or whether the person emerged through an election or not. The idea is to prevent anyone from ruling for more than the equivalent of two full terms,” he argued.
As the legal battle shapes up and political consultations continue, all eyes are now on the Supreme Court and the National Assembly. The eventual outcome may well determine not just Aiyedatiwa’s political fate, but also set a constitutional precedent with implications for other states and future successions
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