Ondo State’s acting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the populace to embrace togetherness while putting the state back on the path of “accelerated progress.”
This was said by Aiyedatiwa on Thursday morning during a state broadcast on his taking over as the state’s acting governor after his principal, who is ill, transferred authority to him and the state assembly approved the decision.
“Not to relent, as you have always done, in your prayers for the quick restoration of good health and strength to our leader,” Rotimi Akeredolu, the acting governor pleaded with the people of the South-West state.
“Return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the State in the last few months,” he exhorted the people of the state.
“We must excuse unnecessary distractions,” Aiyedatiwa remarked. We are no longer able to be split by purpose or by areas of interest. We have to stick together all the way through.
“As stated in the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, the primary goal of government is to enhance the welfare and security of our people. We must return stronger and more determined to do this. Let’s use our divided history to create a common future. We owe the wonderful folks of the Sunshine State no less.
READ ALSO: Akeredolu to take medical leave starting Wednesday, with power transmitted to Aiyedatiwa
Sworn in for a second term in office in February 2021, Intrigues Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), was re-elected to the state governorship in October 2020.
The governor’s second term, which began in January 2023, hasn’t been without its difficulties, though, since in June he needed to travel overseas for medical attention. After spending months abroad, the 67-year-old politician came back to Nigeria in September and settled in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Opposition parties and activists have put Akeredolu under tremendous pressure to step down or transfer power to his deputy in accordance with the 1999 constitution.
Additionally, there has been conflict between the governor’s supporters in the state House of Assembly and Aiyedatiwa, prompting President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
This week, the governor finally gave his deputy authority, even as he left on Wednesday for yet another medical leave abroad.
“Preventable Diversions”
During his speech, Aiyedatiwa described the state assembly’s botched attempt to remove him from office and other controversies that arose after Akeredolu’s health issues as “avoidable distractions.”
“At this point, allow me to say that only God Almighty has explanations for what happened in the last few months,” declared the acting governor.
It is always terrible when nature interferes with human achievement. We have to admit that God holds the ultimate power over a man’s wellbeing. Instead of questioning God, it is our responsibility as humans to ask for His mercies to be shown to us.
In this aspect, we humbly acknowledge that the intrigues that resulted from the Governor’s health issues were, in fact, preventable diversion.
“Over the past six and a half years, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, has established a smooth and stable governance system in Ondo State. We should have done better to maintain this.”
He also thanked the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and the president for “providing succour to Ondo State at our critical time of cloud and need.”
