President Bola Tinubu has waded into the months-long crisis between factions loyal to the Executive Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa and succeeded in end the political war within Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) and crisis within the Government of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
President Tinubu achieved this late Friday and brought relative political stability in Ondo State,
This followed marathon negotiations between him and the Deputy Governor, representatives of Governor Akeredolu, federal and state lawmakers of Ondo, officials of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives’ Congress, and other stakeholders in the state at the State House, Abuja.
It was learnt that the President advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace, eliciting commitments to this effect.
This means that Governor Akeredolu remains Chief Executive of the State, Aiyedatiwa remains Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council continue their respective duties, even as the leadership of the State’s House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved.
Mr. Aiyedatiwa, who declared his decision to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, said: “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.
“And I want to say that with no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it, and every other thing is in the past.
“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in everything that we do, we will work together; the executive and the legislature will work together to ensure that governance is on the right track.”
He pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to rally around the Governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State.
“All the Executive Council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the Governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people.
“We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect.
“And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect,” the Ondo State Deputy Governor pledged.
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, who read the details of the resolution, said, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Secondly, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the Deputy Governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.
“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.”
On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, stated, “Our Father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude, Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.”
In his remarks, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of Friday’s late night deliberations, affirming that the party will remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments are adhered to.
“Today is my happiest moment. And I know sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr. President.
“PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently,” Adetimehin stated, according to
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President ob Media & Publicity in a release on Saturday.
But The Daily Crucible learnt that in Ondo State, some people within the fold of the party and government were not happy with the meeting outcome that bordered on maintaining the status quo.
These dissatisfied persons are asking if maintaining the status quo meant that Governor Akeredolu should remain in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital due to ill – health and be purportedly governing the Sunshine state from there?
They are also wondering if the impeachment moves against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa by the state lawmakers would be halted?
There seemed to a silent consensus that governance is on a long recess in the state.
“We want to see somebody to be truly in charge and effectively so. The meeting in Abuja did not address these areas,” a source told our reporter.
Empower Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor, APC leaders insist
Meanwhile, a number of the chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State have maintained that the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa should be empowered as Acting Governor in line with constitutional provisions despite President Bola Tinubu’s intervention on Friday urging all parties to allow the status quo be maintained.
The arraignment means Aiyedatiwa should resume office as Deputy Governor.
But the Ondo APC Progressives stakeholders, at a meeting in Akure, expressed concern over the prolonged absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, which they reckoned has crippled economy of the State.
A statement at the meeting and signed by its Chairman Hon. Afe Olowookere and Secretary Hon. Raman Rotimi, called on the House of Assembly to empower Aiyedatiwa to function as the Acting Governor.
The chieftains resolved that party supremacy must be invoked and entrenched to facilitate inclusion and mutual respect.
It said: “All inclusive developmental agenda for socio- economic, industrial and cultural rebirth that will put the State in its rightful place should be designed by all parties and stakeholders to provide quality, sustainable economic and industrial development for the people
“That, APC party members should be allowed to participate and determine those to be appointed or elected into political and party offices
“Elders and Leaders of the party must be recognized and given their pride of place in the party, rather than being neglected and ostracised by the party.
“The system of writing names of party executives and candidates without due process will be objected and resisted with all political and legal means possible.”
