The administration’s and concerned parties’ last-ditch efforts to break the political deadlock between Rotimi Akeredolu, the state governor of Ondo State, and Lucky Ayedatiwa, his deputy, may have met with more resistance.
This comes at the same time as Ayedatiwa persisted in demanding to be named the state’s acting governor in defiance of the decision made during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu over the weekend.
Ayedatiwa reportedly felt resentful of the President’s participation because the President and other meeting participants decided to maintain the status quo.
But 48 hours after the meeting, it was reported that a new scheme against Akeredolu had been conceived, with the beleaguered deputy governor reportedly redoubling his efforts to persuade the legislature to declare him the acting governor in defiance of the decision made during the meeting with the president.
Recall that the President ordered all opposing parties to lay down their weapons and accept peace, as stated in a press statement issued by his Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.
“This means that the leadership of the State’s House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved,” Ngelale stated. “Governor Akeredolu remains Chief Executive of the State, Aiyedatiwa remains Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council continue their respective duties.”
However, according to information obtained by Nigerian Tribune, Ayedatiwa has been phoning some state House of Assembly members, urging that he be named acting governor on Tuesday (tomorrow).
The House of Assembly member who received the call from Aiyedatiwa, requesting anonymity, revealed that the deputy governor questioned the President’s involvement in the situation.
According to the source, several of us got calls from the deputy governor last night (Sunday). He told us that on Tuesday, he needs to be officially named acting governor.
“The President cannot dictate to us how to manage Ondo State,” he remarked when we reminded him that it was not one of the decisions made during the meeting with the President.
“He roared and declared over his death body that Akeredolu would continue as Governor, despite all efforts to persuade the deputy governor that the resolutions would only bring about peace and allow the state to move forward.
The President has provided the finest political answer to the current problem, but the deputy governor is oblivious to this. Once more, I wonder what Mr. Deputy Governor desires.
It is agreed upon that you go perform your duties. Gather the group and speak on behalf of your supervisor. Is that too difficult?
Why is he so determined to take over as acting governor? Is he acting in the best interests of the state’s citizens? Definitely not, is the response! According to Aiyedatiwa, he can only become governor if he overthrows Akeredolu by force right away.
“What hurts more is the unrestrained disrespect towards the President’s order to maintain the status quo. In Ondo State, President Tinubu is a man who deserves respect. You have to realise that Tinubu has made significant contributions to the APC over the years, especially if you are a devoted member.
The source added that the deputy governor has been enticing assembly members who he thought were not close to the governor to join the 11 others who already support him, including the state APC chairman.
preparations are underway, according to one of the legislators, to incorporate the party’s State Chairman, Hon. Ade Adetimehin, into the preparations.
Adetimehin, however, asserted that no state legislator would dare oppose the agreement made with President Tinubu over the state’s impasse.
“There’s nothing of such, no one dare go against the resolution reached with the President,” declared Adetimehin. Is it possible to disagree with President Tinubu’s statements? Nothing more than that agreement is in effect.
Nonetheless, the House of Assembly’s Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, stated that the legislators’ choice was consistent with the conclusion of their meeting with President Tinubu.
Any decision that does not align with the resolution that was reached with President Tinubu, according to Oladiji, should be ignored.
Speaking as well, the majority leader of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, stated that neither the deputy governor’s official inauguration nor his designation as acting governor are scheduled for Tuesday.
After the meeting with Mr. President, Ogunmolasuyi insisted that everything was still as it had been agreed upon, saying, “It was collectively agreed that Akeredolu remains the Governor while Aiyedatiwa remains the Deputy Governor and not as Acting Governor.”
“It was also decided during the conference that there should be no impeachment; the State Exco should continue to exist alongside the House of Assembly. No member has been fired, and the party Exco is still in place.
Ondo Progressives Network (OPN), a state organisation, has pushed Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the beleaguered deputy governor of Ondo State, to honour the decision made during their Friday meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Concerns were raised by the organisation regarding rumours and allegations that the deputy governor is collaborating with some House of Assembly members to take over as acting governor.
In a statement provided to journalists in Akure and signed by Ogunika Taiwo, the group’s publicity secretary, it stated that any action taken by the deputy governor that deviates from the agreement reached with the president will be considered subservience and blatant disrespect.
The statement says as follows: “We have noticed an increasing trend of unhappiness and dissatisfaction in the camp of the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, since the last Friday meeting with our affable and responsive President, Bola Tinubu.
“The President and other stakeholders who attended the Abuja summit have completely rejected the position taken by his recognised and close allies and personal aides, as evidenced by their actions.
We applaud the president’s efforts to establish stability and peace in our sunny state. The agreements that the opposing parties came upon were admirable and outstanding. It was a reasonable arrangement that would eventually let governance breathe and fulfil the needs of the populace.
“We are deeply troubled by the recent reports and conjectures regarding potential schemes by the Deputy Governor, working with certain House of Assembly members, to appoint him as acting governor in opposition to the decisions made in Abuja. We view this as blatant disrespectful to the President’s office and an act of insubordination.
We would like to counsel Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa to follow his ambitions and not give in to the temptation of despair and an unquenchable thirst for power.
“The people’s and the state’s interests would be served by the deal achieved in Abuja. If the deputy governor doesn’t take over the state by force, it’s acceptable for him or her to carry on in that role.
We are aware that plans have been made to defy the president’s order and name Aiyedatiwa as acting governor starting tomorrow. We don’t want to believe the rumours that money has been traded or that certain individuals are trying to defend their salary. Above all, we have a responsibility to preserve the integrity and values that Ondo State has come to rely on.
“The deputy governor is being called to action to put an end to all of these issues. Go on serving as deputy governor and refrain from meddling in the state’s political affairs.
Thankfully, the election is almost approaching. Political suicide, in our opinion, would result from Mr. Deputy Governor defying the president given his stake in the next election.
“Let Ondo State be a paradise of peace. It is imperative that the deputy governor summon his sympathisers and supporters to order.
What more is Aiyedatiwa in need of? Your impeachment has been halted by the President. It is guaranteed that you will remain until the end of your term. Why is he so determined to take over as acting governor?
