Crisis in Ondo: SDP Demands Attorney General’s Resignation Over Prolonged Judicial Workers Strike

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Ondo State has demanded the immediate resignation of the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo (SAN), following a statewide strike by judicial workers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) have been on an indefinite strike for two weeks, protesting the government’s failure to implement full financial autonomy for the judiciary. The industrial action has effectively halted court operations across all 18 local government areas in the state.

In a statement released on Sunday, SDP State Chairman, Gbenga Akinbuli, lambasted the Ondo State Government for what he described as a lackadaisical response to the strike, calling it a direct attack on the rule of law. He specifically called out Ajulo, accusing him of dereliction of duty for not advising the government to uphold the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that ensures judicial independence.

Akinbuli said Ajulo’s silence amid the crisis amounted to a “betrayal of justice.”

“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he should be embarrassed that the situation has deteriorated this far. It’s astounding that someone of his legal standing has failed to guide the government on such a crucial constitutional matter,” Akinbuli said.

He further alleged that the Attorney General’s failure to act proves his alignment with the government’s anti-judiciary stance.

“Ajulo should either do the right thing or resign and return to his law practice in Abuja,” Akinbuli stated.

The SDP chairman also condemned the government’s disregard for existing agreements on judicial autonomy, calling the stance unconstitutional and shameful. While commending JUSUN for standing firm, he warned that the strike’s prolonged impact is hurting the common man — delaying trials and denying bail to suspects in custody.

In a swift rebuttal, Attorney General Kayode Ajulo dismissed the call for his resignation as baseless. He argued that the issue involves complex legal questions, particularly ambiguities in the court ruling on financial autonomy.

According to Ajulo, although the judgment affirms autonomy, it lacks clarity on key aspects such as fund allocation methods and the distribution framework among judiciary institutions — issues the government is currently seeking to resolve through a formal appeal.

“The government is not acting in bad faith or undermining the judiciary. Rather, we are pursuing judicial clarity to avoid constitutional errors,” Ajulo stated.

He added that the government’s approach underscores a broader commitment to legal integrity, institutional reform, and long-term stability within the justice system.

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