Deputy Governor: President Tinubu Tells Ondo Lawmakers What To Do Immediately
Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, has mediated in the political crisis lingering between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The development came after about six hours of deliberations between Tinubu, Ondo State Government officials, the All Progressives Congress (APC), members and other stakeholders.
The parties converged on Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, on President Tinubu’s invitation Friday.
Meanwhile, 11 out of 26 members of the state’s House of Assembly were said to be planning to declare Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu “incapacitated” and proclaim the embattled Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as acting Governor, following the inability of the governor to resume office, due to ill-health.
However, after about six hours of deliberations between President Bola Tinubu, Ondo state officials, the All Progressives Congress, APC, members and other stakeholders, the political logjam in Ondo seemed to have been resolved.
The Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa, pledged to carry all commissioners and officials along in handling the state’s affairs, while he pledged to maintain the status quo and unite all the warring factions.
According to PUNCH, he 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 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 in his past.
“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family. With the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken.
“And 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 cooperate with the governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, on his part also resolved to halt all impeachment moves against Aiyedatiwa.
He 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 status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.”
“We will maintain status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu had ordered the police to withdraw from the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly in Akure.
