Court refuses application to stop Fayemi from dissolving council excos

An Ekiti State High Court  yesterday refused to grant an order to restrain the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, from dissolving the executives of the 16 local government councils of the state.

The council chairmen acting under the aegis of the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) had approached the court seeking an interlocutory injunction to stop Fayemi from sacking them.

Dismissing the application, Justice Abiodun Adesodun, described as unmeritorious, pre-emptive and speculative. Justice Adesodun said there is no compelling fact in the application to warrant the granting of the order.

The judge subsequently adjourned the substantive matter to October 22. The council bosses, who are People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members, filed the case through their lawyer, Mr. Obafemi Adewale, while Mr. Tajudeen Akingbolu and Mr. Adeoye Aribasoye appeared for Fayemi.

Counsel to the defendant (Fayemi) challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the application on grounds that the matter was speculative.

The suit was filed owing to the impending change of government on Tuesday, October 16. Outgoing governor, Ayo Fayose, is expected to make way for the governor-elect, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who will be sworn into office at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion. The council chairmen were elected in the local government election conducted in December last year on a two-year tenure.