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Tag: Akeredolu

  • Ondo dismisses court order compelling Assembly to constitute panel on Akeredolu’s health

    Ondo dismisses court order compelling Assembly to constitute panel on Akeredolu’s health

    Ondo State Government has dismissed a reported court order which granted an order mandamus compelling the House of Assembly and its Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, to constitute a medical panel to assess Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health.

    It described the report which was viral as fake and not a true representation of the ongoing Court proceedings on the matter.

    Ondo Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir. Charles Titiloye, in a statement, said the court only granted leave for the said lawyers/
    Applicants to apply for Mandamus and serve parties in the case.

    Read Also: ‘Akeredolu committed to grassroots development, others’

    Titiloye, who insisted that the Ondo State Government has not been served with the court processes or heard in the matter, said the sensational news smirked grave political desperation.

    He warned those spreading fake news capable of igniting civil unrest in the state to desist or face appropriate legal action.

    According to the statement: “The Attorney General of Ondo state as the Chief Law officer will not be cowed into submitting the state into anarchy or abdicating its responsibilities under glaring orchestrated blackmail by political desperados scheming to take over power through extra legal means.

    “Let it be known that when a dispute has been submitted to the Court of competent jurisdiction, it is unethical and a grave misconduct for Counsels to embark on media war in an attempt to intimidate or blackmail the Court to reach a certain conclusion on their cases.

    “This matter is subjudice and the office of Attorney General will not be dragged into media trial of cases pending before the Court of competent jurisdiction.”

  • ‘Akeredolu committed to grassroots development, others’

    ‘Akeredolu committed to grassroots development, others’

    Executive Vice Chairman of of Oyemekun Local Council Development Area(LCDA), Mr Adeleye Damilare ,has lauded Ondo State Governor  Rotimi Akeredolu, for what he called  his commitment to grassroots development in the state.

     He said the establishment of major Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) across all (18) local governments stands as a testament to his commitment to fostering significant development and bringing the government closer to the people and ensuring full grassroots representation.

    Read Also: We must make development happen, says Edo APC governorship aspirant

     In a statement, Damilare noted that decentralising power in all local councils, as envisioned by Akeredolu’s administration is a brilliant idea to  ensure government’s presence is deeply felt at the grassroots level, allowing  faster communication and responsiveness to the needs of the people.

    He said this aligns with President BolaTinubu’s commitment to strengthening collapsed local government administrations across the country.

     “I urge all citizens to unite and rally behind  Akeredolu’s genuine cause by supporting the newly created LCDAs.

     I firmly believe that the establishment of LCDAs by the Ondo State government is the right path to harnessing and promoting grassroots impact within our democratic setting. In the coming years, we can anticipate positive and massive development  throughout the state,” he said.

  • Opposition parties pass vote of confidence in Akeredolu

    Opposition parties pass vote of confidence in Akeredolu

    Chairmen and leaders of opposition political parties in Ondo State have passed a vote of confidence in Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The parties passed the confidence vote at the end of its meeting in Akure yesterday.

    Read Also: Police rescue two kidnap victims in Abuja 

    In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the parties thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening in what they termed “frightening and seemingly endless political acrimony within the leadership, which problems were triggered by loss of trust and power tussle between our governor and his deputy.”

    The communique urged Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the House of Assembly to tread the path of honour and integrity by adhering to the counsel and terms of the peace brokered by Mr President for the enhancement of enduring peace and tranquility.

  • Ondo opposition parties pass vote of confidence on Akeredolu

    Ondo opposition parties pass vote of confidence on Akeredolu

    The chairmen and leaders of opposition political parties in Ondo state have passed a vote of confidence on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The political parties passed the confidence vote at the end of its meeting in Akure on Tuesday, December 5.

    In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the political parties thanked President Bola Tinubu for intervening in what they termed ‘frightening and seemingly endless political acrimony in the state.

    It said that the leadership problem was triggered by the loss of trust and power tussle between the governor and his deputy.

    The communique urged the deputy governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, and the state House of Assembly, to tread the path of honour and integrity by religiously adhering to the counsel and terms of the peace brokered by Mr President for the enhancement of enduring peace and tranquility.

    It said the status quo must remain untampered with.

    The chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Oladele Oluwasesan, who read the communique, said peace and harmony were gradually returning to the state after President Tinubu’s intervention and that governance was finding full expression in the state.

    The communique read: “We are not unaware of some dissident elements and hired agents of destabilisation that have been engaging the media under the guise of several names and titles with the sole objective of truncating the present peaceful atmosphere in  Ondo state.

    Read Also: Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    “We want to assure all and sundry that Ondo state people will not fold their arms and allow these inordinately ambitious agents of darkness to drag us backward anymore. We have accepted the peace Accord in good faith and there is no going back. The Status Quo ante must remain. No amount of mischievous media propaganda can derail our peaceful atmosphere.

    “In conclusion, we want to passionately appeal to the Executive and Legislative Arms of government to maintain harmony, cordiality, and sound interpersonal relationships to preserve this newfound peace we are currently enjoying in Ondo state.”

    Others present at the meeting were Elder Funso Oloro (APM) Oyebamiji Lawrence (ZLP) Peter Oladunokun (NNPP) Rasheed Olaide (ADC) amongst others.

  • Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    • Governor releases N1b for retired teachers, council workers

    An Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has stopped Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating newly appointed members of the Interim Management Committee for the 18 local governments and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The appointed Interim Management Committee for the councils and  LCDAs have been cleared by the House of Assembly.

    But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) filed an interim injunction restraining the defendants from inaugurating the committee.

    Defendants in the suit were Governor Akeredolu, Speaker of the Ondo Assembly and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

    The PDP had asked the court to restrain the defendants from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local councils and the LCDAs pending the determination of the interlocutory injunction in this suit.

    Justice Yemi Fasanmi, who granted the order, said: “The defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as members of caretaker committees, pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction in this suit.”

    Governor Akeredolu has begun payment of N1billion as gratuity to teachers and local government workers, who retired in 2011.

    Some pensioners, who retired in 2012, were paid, while those the government termed as distressed benefitted from the N1billion payment.

    Read Also: ‘NIMC to assist states build robust database’

    Governor Akeredolu, represented by his Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1billion was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

    Akeredolu said the payment of N1billion marked gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of local government and primary school teachers.

    The governor said another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

    He said his administration had fully paid all outstanding salaries and pension, including allowances of all retirees left by the previous administration.

    According to him, “we want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals as well as those who engage in cult related activities in our dear state.

    “The state government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the ‘Amotekun’ Corps in terms of equipment and human resources. This is in addition to the provision of fund and other logistical supports to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

    He said Governor Akeredolu was poised to taking care of senior citizens.

    Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

    Many of them said they would use chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

    Chief Ojo Samuel said it was difficult for him to cope with situations of life after he retired and his gratuity not paid.

    “We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

    Chairman of pensioners in Ondo State, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1billion was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

    He said pensioners have not witnessed such good gesture in the state.

  • Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    An Ondo State High Court, sitting in Akure, has stopped Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from inaugurating newly appointed members of the interim management committee for the 18 local government areas and the 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    The appointed Interim Management Committee for the council and the LCDAs have been cleared by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party filed an interim Injunction restraining the defendants from inaugurating the committee.

    Defendants in the suit were Governor Akeredolu, the speaker of the Ondo Assembly, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state.

    Read Also: Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers

    The PDP had asked the court to restrain the defendants from inaugurating any person or persons not democratically elected as member(s) of caretaker committees to administer the affairs of the local councils and the LCDA pending the determination of the interlocutory Injunction in this suit.

    Justice Yemi Fasanmi who granted the order said: “The application defendants/respondents are hereby restrained from inaugurating any person or persons not  democratically members of caretaker committees elected as administer the affairs of local government councils and Local Council Development Areas in Ondo state pending the determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction in this suit.”

  • Ondo denies forgery of Akeredolu’s signature

    Ondo denies forgery of Akeredolu’s signature

    Ondo state government has denied allegations that the signature of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was being forged by certain persons to loot the state treasury.

    It said the governor still attends to files.

    Two documents surfaced online with different signatures purportedly belonging to Governor Akeredolu.

    The state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who addressed journalists after the state Executive Council meeting presided over by deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said ‘nobody is forging Mr. Governor’s signature’.

    This is the first Exco meeting held for the past three months.

    Governor Akeredolu’s son, Babajide, who is Director General of Performance and Project Implementation and Monitoring Unit (PPIMU), attended the meeting.

    Other persons that attended included Special Adviser on Security Matters, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaiye, amongst others.

    Olateju said the two files she sent to Governor Akeredolu were approved and returned to her.

    She said resolution reached at the Abuja meeting with President Tinubu was discussed and the key decisions were spelt out for other Exco members that were not present in Abuja.

    The Information Commissioner said they agreed to abide by the resolutions as well as embrace peace.

    She said the Council approved the N35,000 wage award to civil servants in the state.

    According to her, “We discussed issue of pallaitives meant to cushion effect of fuel subsidy removal. We took note of how the palliative fund was spent.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Ondo Assembly withdraws appeal against Aiyedatiwa

    “We discussed the resolution reached in Abuja as one family. We agreed there must be peace.”

    On the alleged forgery of the Governor’s signature, she said only forensic expert would determine which signature is real and which is fake.

    She said: “I sent two files to the Governor and they came back. It was not different what I am accustomed to.

    “Nobody is forging the Governor signature to take out money. The Governor is not bigger than the Executive Council. We vowed to work for the progress of Ondo State. Social media fake news peddlers should desist from spreading fake news.”

  • Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers

    Akeredolu releases N1bn for retired teachers, LG workers

    Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has flagged off a payment of N1bn as a gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired in 2011.

    Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were paid while those the government termed as distressed benefitted from the N1bn payment.

    Governor Akeredolu, who was represented by his special adviser on union matters and special duties, Dare Aragbaiye, said the N1bn was sourced from the October allocation from the federation account.

    Akeredolu said the payment of N1bn marked gradual defrayment of the backlog of gratuity arrears for retirees of Local Government and Primary school teachers.

    The governor said another tranche would soon be paid within the first quarter of next year.

    He said his administration has fully paid all outstanding salaries and pensions including allowances for all retirees left by the previous administration.

    Akeredolu said: “We want to make sure pensioners in the state do not suffer anymore. We are making efforts to rid our communities of miscreants and criminals as well as those who engage in cult-related activities in our dear state.

    “The state government is continually committing enormous resources to strengthening the Amotekun Corps in terms of equipment and human resources. This is in addition to the provision of funds and other logistical support to other sister security agencies operating in Ondo State. Our government cannot tolerate a situation where our citizens cannot conduct their daily businesses in a safe environment.”

    The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Takuro Amidu, said the payment of the gratuity was initiated by Governor Akeredolu by ensuring that some money was saved every month.

    He said Governor Akeredolu was poised to take care of senior citizens.

    Read Also: Akeredolu appoints Eucharia Nwamara LCDA vice chairman in Ondo

    Some of the pensioners said it was suicidal for them to survive 12 years without collecting their gratuities.

    Many of them would use a chunk of the money to pay accumulated debts.

    Chief Ojo Samuel said it was difficult for him to cope with situations of life after he retired and his gratuity was not paid.

    He said: “We thank God we are alive to collect and enjoy our benefit.”

    The chairman of pensioners in Ondo state, Johnson Osunyemi, said the payment of N1bn was a reassurance that the governor would do more for them.

    He said pensioners have not witnessed such a good gesture in the state.

  • Akeredolu appoints Eucharia Nwamara LCDA vice chairman in Ondo

    Akeredolu appoints Eucharia Nwamara LCDA vice chairman in Ondo

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has appointed an Ibo grassroots politician in Ondo state, Hon Eucharia Nwamara, as vice chairman of Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Nwamara was among the caretaker committee appointed to the newly created 33 LCDAs.

    They have been screened and cleared by the state House of Assembly.

    Residents of Odigbo had protested the appointment of Nwamara as chairman of the Odigbo LCDA.

    According to them, it was wrong for a non-Yoruba to be the pioneer chairman of the new LCDA.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state said the screening and approval of the caretaker committees violated the 1999 constitution and the local government system, establishment and administration, and other auxiliary matters law of Ondo state 2006.

    It said it was unbelievable that those who were supposed to make laws for the state were the same persons breaking the law.

    Read Also: Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa peace agreement heads for collapse

    The director of media and publicity for the Ondo PDP, Leye Igbabo, in a press statement, said that the screening of the caretaker committees was null and void.

    Igbado said the appointment of the committees was an attempt to derail the local government elections scheduled for February 17, 2024.

    He said the plan to derail the local polls was because the Ondo APC was not in a form to have a good showing at the polls.

    He said: “The Ondo state House of Assembly should not make itself a willing agent in the hands of those who are hell-bent on driving the state towards a huge rock.

    “This public show of shame must stop for once because the consequences of damaging the very constitution that binds us together are better left unimagined.”

  • Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa peace agreement heads for collapse

    Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa peace agreement heads for collapse

    • Deputy governor’s  loyalists pushing lawmakers to make him acting governor
    • I stand on Abuja deal, Speaker insists

    The peace deal brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was threatened yesterday following the misinterpretation of its terms by some members of the Ondo State House of Assembly.

    There was tension in the state chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Ondo State Executive Council over a plot to unseat Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by some lawmakers who insisted that Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should be pronounced as Acting Governor, contrary to the terms of the agreement.

    Also, trouble is brewing over whether the local government election should be conducted or whether interim management committees should be set up.

    The crisis escalated as pro-Ayedatiwa lawmakers claimed that the Abuja peace deal had conferred on the deputy governor the power of the Acting Governor.

    However, the House of Assembly Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, disagreed, saying he would stand by the agreement reached at Aso Villa.

    President Tinubu, during a meeting with the Akeredolu and Ayedatiwa camps at the weekend, urged them to sheathe their swords.

    The president met the two camps on Friday after his consultation with Akeredolu on the telephone twice.

    The governor has been recuperating in his Ibadan, Oyo State residence since his return from medical vacation in Germany on September 7.

    Before leaving for Germany, Akeredolu transmitted a letter to the House of Assembly transferring power to his deputy. He took back power on his return.

    At the weekend’s meeting were Ayedatiwa, party chairman Ade Adetimehin, Secretary to Government Oladunni Odu, Oladiji, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim and others.

    Sources said President Tinubu, who pacified the two camps, warned about the consequence of splitting the Ondo APC structure, to which the two camps belong.

    According to the source, the warring camps agreed on some terms, which should not be breached.

    The source said: “It was agreed that the impeachment moves against the deputy governor would be dropped, the deputy governor will withdraw pending cases in court, the state executive council will not be reshuffled, the party’s executive and the House of Assembly principal leadership will not be tampered with and Ayedatiwa, who will continue to function as deputy governor, should consult his boss, Akeredolu, in running the affairs of the state.”

    Besides, the deputy governor, who was asked to declare his loyalty to the governor, subscribed to an undertaking that the terms would not be breached.

    He is also not expected to exploit the grave situation in the state to kick off any campaign in anticipation of next year’s governorship primary.

    To ensure compliance with the terms, the source said the President raised a three-man panel to monitor Ayedatiwa’s activities and report to him.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Tinubu, Ajuri Ngelalec , in a statement after the meeting, said the President advised that the status quo be maintained.

    He added: “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 House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved.c “

    However, the state was enveloped in tension yesterday as 11 lawmakers loyal to Aiyedatiwa started to woo Akeredolu’s loyalists to their side in a bid to get majority support to pronounce the deputy governor as acting governor.

    One of the lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some lawmakers were bent on shoving Akeredolu aside and installing Ayedatiwa as acting governor at today’s plenary.

    He said: “On Sunday, a number of us received a call from the deputy governor. He informed us that he must be declared acting governor on Tuesday. 

    “When we reminded him that it wasn’t part of the resolutions reached at the meeting with the President, he said the President can’t tell us how to run Ondo State.

    “All efforts to make the deputy governor understand that the resolutions would only engender peace and allow the state to move forward failed as he yelled and said over his dead body would Akeredolu remain as governor.

    “The deputy governor has failed to understand that the President has given the best political solution to the issue at hand. I wonder what Mr. Deputy Governor wants again. The agreement is that you should go and do your job. Represent your boss and get the people together. Is that too hard?

    “Why is he hell-bent on becoming acting governor? Is he doing it in the interest of the people of the state? The answer is definitely no. 

    “Aiyedatiwa believes that the only way for him to become governor is if he forcefully takes power from Akeredolu now.

    “The painful part is the unbridled affront to the President’s directive that the status quo should remain. President Tinubu is a man who should be respected in Ondo State. 

    “Especially if you are a loyal member of the APC, you must understand that Tinubu has invested so much in the party over the years.”

    The party chairman, Adetimehin, said party leaders who met with the president were committed to the peace plan.

    He said no politician in the state can move against the resolution reached with President Tinubu on the impasse.

    Read Also: Ogun partners UK govt on public transportation

    He said: “There’s nothing of such. No one dared go against the resolution reached with the President. Can anyone go against what President Tinubu has pronounced? That agreement stands and nothing more.”

    Oladiji maintained that the lawmakers will abide by the outcome of the meeting with the President.

    He said: “Go and read the statement from the state on the meeting. That will answer all your questions.”

    The Majority Leader, Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, said there was no plan to either welcome the deputy governor with fanfare on Tuesday or proclaim him as acting governor.

    He said: “It was collectively agreed that Akeredolu remains the governor while Aiyedatiwa remains the deputy governor and not as acting governor.

    “The meeting also agreed that there should be no impeachment, the House of Assembly remains one while the State Exco remains intact. No sacking of any member and party Exco remains intact.”

    The Ondo Progressives Network (OPN) expressed worry over speculations that Aiyedatiwa was plotting with some lawmakers to make him acting governor.

    The group, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Ogunika Taiwo, cautioned those backing Aiyedatiwa that a breach of the resolution reached with the President would amount to insubordination and flagrant disrespect.

    The statement reads: “We have observed a growing trend of discontent and dissatisfaction in the camp of the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. 

    “The activities of his known and close allies and personal aides have shown a total rejection of the stance of the President and other stakeholders who attended the Abuja meeting.

    “However, we are saddened by the latest news and speculations of plots by the deputy governor in collaboration with some members of the House of Assembly to declare him acting governor against the resolutions reached in Abuja. 

    “We consider this as an act of insubordination and gross disrespect to the office of the President.

    “We would like to advise the deputy governor Aiyedatiwa to be guided in his ambitious drive and resist the lure of desperation and insatiable quest for power. The agreement reached in Abuja would serve the interests of the people and the state….

     “This is a clarion call to the deputy governor to lay all these matters to rest. Continue to function as deputy governor and desist from troubling the political water of the state. 

    “Fortunately, an election is around the corner. Since Mr. Deputy Governor is interested in the next election, we think disobeying the President will amount to political suicide.

    “Let peace reign supreme in Ondo State. The deputy governor should also, as a matter of urgency, call his followers and allies to order. What else does Aiyedatiwa want?

    “The President has stopped your impeachment. You have been guaranteed to stay till the end of the tenure. Why is he hell-bent on becoming acting governor?”

    Although Aiyedatiwa could not be reached, a source close to him denied the plot, saying the deputy governor is a gentleman who believes in respecting agreements.

    “The deputy governor would not go out of his way to disregard Mr President,” the source told The Nation.