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OPINION: Why Aiyedatiwa Should Not Appeal Court Judgment On Creation Of LCDA In Ondo State

Published

1 year ago

June 29, 2024

James Tam

By Tam Icon-James

Last year, the Rotimi Akeredolu administration proposed the creation of 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ondo State, which was subsequently approved by the State Assembly and signed into law by the late Governor in Ibadan, Oyo State.

However, the creation of these LCDAs sparked controversies, particularly due to alleged land encroachments affecting neighboring communities. For instance, disputes arose between the Apoi in Igbobini, Ese-Odo, and the Ikale in Irele, as well as some historic communities of Arogbo in Ese-Odo and Ilaje LGAs respectively. Painfully, these issues led to protests, notably led by the Kalasuwe of Apoi, His Royal Majesty, Pere (Prof) Sunday Adejimola Amuseghan, Lawe II, the Prescribed or Consenting Authority of Apoiland, expressing dissatisfaction with the state government’s actions. Other affected areas also voiced their opposition.

Subsequently, legal challenges ensued, resulting in a Court decision that nullified the creation of the LCDAs. The Court cited reasons such as the bill being signed into law outside the state, among other grounds for its decision.

The Court’s decision received mixed reactions among the state’s residents. While some applauded the ruling, others called for an appeal by the state government, citing the need to preserve the late Governor’s legacy. However, the fundamental question remains: does the creation of LCDAs effectively address the governance needs at the grassroots level?

Instead of focusing solely on creating new LCDAs, we must scrutinize the effectiveness of the existing local government structure. Advocates for LCDAs argue they would bring governance closer to the people. Yet, if our goal is truly effective local governance, strengthening the current system might be more beneficial than adding more layers of administration prone to mismanagement.

In light of this, I believe Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should reconsider any appeal of the High Court’s judgment. Such an appeal would likely consume resources better spent on bolstering existing local government administrations to better serve our communities.

Tam Icon-James James, writes from the creeks of
Ogidigba 2, Ondo State.

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Welcome Home, Israel Confirms Return Of 20 Hostages From Gaza

Published

9 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Israel said that the last 20 living hostages released by Hamas on Monday had arrived in the country.

“Welcome home,” the foreign ministry wrote in a series of posts on X, hailing the return of Matan Angrest, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Elkana Bohbot, Rom Braslavski, Nimrod Cohen, David Cunio, Ariel Cunio, Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Maxim Herkin, Eitan Horn, Segev Kalfon, Bar Kuperstein, Omri Miran, Eitan Mor, Yosef Haim Ohana, Alon Ohel, Avinatan Or and Matan Zangauker.

AFP

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20 Members Of Gang Blacklisted By US Escape Guatemala Prison

Published

11 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

Twenty members of a gang designated a “foreign terrorist organisation” by the United States have escaped from detention in Guatemala, a prison chief said Sunday.

The members of the Barrio 18 gang “evaded security controls” at the Fraijanes II facility, prison director Ludin Godinez said at a news conference.

He received “an intelligence report” on Friday warning about the “possible escape” from the prison, which is southeast of the capital, Guatemala City.

Godinez said they were investigating possible acts of corruption.

Washington last month blacklisted Barrio 18, an El Salvador-based gang which has a reputation for violence and extortion, as part of its crackdown on drug trafficking.

The US embassy in Guatemala condemned the prison escape as “utterly unacceptable.”

“The United States designated members of this heinous group as the terrorists they are and will hold accountable anyone who has provided, provides, or decides to provide material support to these fugitives or other gang members,” the embassy said on X.

It called on the Guatemalan government to “act immediately and vigorously to recapture these terrorists.”

According to Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez, there are about 12,000 gang members and collaborators in Guatemala, while another 3,000 are in prison.

The country’s homicide rate has increased from 16.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024 to 17.65 this year, more than double the world average, according to the Centre for National Economic Research.

According to the Salvadoran government, the gangs Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha, better known as MS-13, are responsible for the deaths of about 200,000 people over three decades.

The two gangs once controlled an estimated 80 percent of El Salvador, which had one of the highest homicide rates in the world.

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South Africa Bus Crash Kills 40 Including Malawi, Zimbabwe Nationals

Published

11 hours ago

October 13, 2025

Editor

At least 40 people, including nationals of Malawi and Zimbabwe, were killed when a passenger bus rolled down an embankment in South Africa, a provincial transport minister said Monday.

The bus travelling to Zimbabwe crashed around 90 kilometres (55 miles) from the border on Sunday after the driver apparently lost control, Limpopo province transport minister Violet Mathye said.

“They are still working on the scene, but 40 bodies have already been confirmed to date,” Mathye told the Newzroom Afrika channel. The dead included a 10-month-old girl, she said.

Thirty-eight people were in hospital and rescuers were searching for other victims, she told eNCA media.

The bus was travelling from the southern city of Gqeberha, around 1,500 kilometres away, and its passengers included Malawians and Zimbabweans who were working in South Africa. The crash may have been caused by driver fatigue or a mechanical fault, the minister said.

South Africa has a sophisticated and busy road network with a high rate of road deaths, blamed mostly on speeding, reckless driving and unroadworthy vehicles.

AFP