Tag: Akeredolu

There is tension in Ondo as lawmakers in the state House of Assembly hold its first plenary on Tuesday, November 28, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu over the political crisis that engulfed the state.

Several interpretations have been adduced on the outcome of the meeting with some supporters of Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, insisting that the resolution was for him to be declared acting governor.

Sources within Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s cabinet said plots were uncovered to ambush the governor and declare Aiyedatiwa acting governor against the agreement reached with President Tinubu.

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

He said: “This means that Governor Akeredolu remains the 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.”

What raised tension in the state, according was a move by 11 lawmakers loyal to Aiyedatiwa to woo Akeredolu’s loyalists to their side

One of the lawmakers who was called last night after they returned from Abuja said there was an insistence that Aiyedatiwa must be declared acting governor at Tuesday’s plenary.

He said: “Last night (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, he yelled and said over his dead body would Akeredolu remain as governor.

Read Also: Tinubu wades into Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

“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 state chairman of the party, Hon. Ade Adetimehin, said no politician in the state would move against the resolution reached with President Tinubu on the impasse in the state.

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

Speaker of Assembly, Hon Olamide Oladiji, said the lawmakers are in line with the outcome of the meeting with President Tinubu.

Oladiji said, “Go and read the statement from the state at the meeting. That will answer all your questions.”

Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Emmanuel Ogunmolasuyi, in a phone call said there was no plan to either welcome the deputy governor with fanfare on Tuesday or proclaim him as the acting governor.

“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.’

Also, the Ondo Progressives Network (OPN) has expressed worry over speculations and reports that the Aiyedatiwa was plotting with some lawmakers to make him Acting Governor.

The group, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Ogunika Taiwo, cautioned those backing Aiyedatiwa that a breach of the resolution reached with the President would amount to subordination 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 will 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. It is not out of place for the deputy governor to continue to function as deputy governor without forcefully taking over power in the state.

“We are privy to the fact that arrangements have been concluded to disobey the directive of the President and declare Aiyedatiwa as acting governor tomorrow. We don’t want to believe the rumour that money has exchanged hands and some people want to justify their pay. Beyond personal sentiments, we must uphold the integrity and principles we are known for in Ondo 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, the 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?”

Aiyedatiwa could not be reached for comments.

Leader of pan Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Pa Reuben Fasoranti and other elders in Ondo State have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the feud between Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his deputy,  Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The Ondo elders urged President Tinubu to end “the current constitutional crisis in the state, to avoid the looming breakdown of law and order.”

This was contained in a statement issued after an emergency meeting held in Akure at the instance of Pa Fasoranti on the current political logjam in the state.

Present at the meeting were traditional, religious and professional leaders, market women, the academia and other notable stakeholders.

The statement said the meeting, which lasted for over four hours, called for prayers for the improved health of Governor Akeredolu and noted that his absence had caused lack of sustained good governance in the state.

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The statement said: “There should be no impeachment of the governor or the deputy governor by the House of Assembly. All unelected persons should allow the three arms of government find lasting solution to the current crisis.

“The rule of law should be followed by stakeholders as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

“The elders also call on the state/national leadership of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to provide the required guide to those in government as well as ensure discipline among their fold.

“Reconciliation efforts initiated by Papa Reuben Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Chiefs Femi Aluko, Korede Duyile and Professor Olu Aderounmu, that were started two months ago and being continuously vigorously pursued by elders/leaders, spiritual and royal fathers in the state, should be concluded with a view to allowing true rapprochement and enduring good governance thrive in the state.”

• Two commissioners abstain
• Return to Akure now, group tells governor

Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu yesterday got a vote of confidence from members of his Executive Council.

Thirty-one of them signed the document affirming their faith in his capacity to continue leading the state.

Two commissioners – Rasaq Obe (Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources) and Akinwumi Sowore (Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives) –  however, failed to endorse the document.

Governor Akeredolu is recuperating in Ibadan, where he is steering the affairs of the state, since his return from medical vacation in Germany on September 7.

His estranged Deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is facing charges of gross misconduct and likely impeachment by the House of Assembly is believed to be staying in Abuja.

Also yesterday, a Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Democracy (CCSOD) complained about Akeredolu’s continued stay outside the state, asking him to either move to Akure, the state capital or handover to his deputy.

Members of the Executive Council, said they took the decision in support of Akeredolu’s policies and programmes encapsulated in the ‘Redeemed agenda.’

They said: “As Mr. Governor’s foot soldiers, we take immense pride in being under his leadership. Witnessing his dedication, sleepless nights, and commitment to protecting and serving the people of the state, despite numerous challenges in the past, is truly admirable. 

“His leadership embodies compassion, vision, and commitment to development, progress, and peace

 ”In Ondo State today, we are reaping the benefits of Mr. Governor’s courage. The Amotekun Corps, a product of Mr. Governor’s determination, has become a celebrated innovation in the security architecture of the state and the Southwest in general. Since security is the primary objective of any government, the existence of Amotekun is a testament to Governor Akeredolu’s visionary leadership.

 ”Popularly referred to as “Mr. Road” or “Mr. Infrastructure,” these appellations reflect the administration’s giant strides in infrastructural development. Since assuming office, Mr. Governor has demonstrated a clear passion and dedication to bridging infrastructural gaps in the state. 

“Over the past six years, significant growth and progress in infrastructural development have been recorded, including the construction of two unprecedented flyovers.

 ”Under the leadership of our amiable Governor, the government has taken a significant leap in the health sector. The construction of 250-bed ultra-modern teaching hospitals in Akure and Ondo respectively has reached an appreciable level. Mr. Governor has made substantial strides in the health sector, with the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo benefiting from the administration’s commitment to its development.

 ”Therefore, we unanimously declare our unflinching trust in Mr. Governor and endorse his impactful leadership. As a united front, we remain steadfast in our support for Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and pledge to continue working collaboratively towards the advancement and prosperity of the state. We express our gratitude to Mr. Governor for his selfless service and courageous leadership.”

But, the Commissioner for Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources, Obe  said in a statement that he would have signed if he had seen the document before he travelled to Lagos.

Sowore, who is Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives said a vote of confidence by his colleagues made no sense to him.

 He said: “ I’m not around in the state. The vote passed by the members of the cabinet in the state in a situation like this does not count, because in the first place, we are the appointees of Mr. Governor. We can’t even say that we don’t have confidence in him. Anybody that doesn’t have confidence in government have to resign. 

“By pushing a vote of confidence, as far as I’m concerned, does not make sense. We don’t have power to remove the governor as members of the cabinet.

“So, passing vote of confidence in the governor, in the first place, does not add anything to Mr. Governor. So, it is the work of those desperate politicians in the state to create crisis when there is no crisis.”

 Sowore added: “I don’t have any issue with the governor, and he is our governor in the state. In fact, they don’t allow the man to rest. There has been no exco meeting. The governor is far away in Ibadan and the deputy is embattled far away in Abuja. So, nobody to chair the executive council meeting in the state.

“Even if I’m around, I will not have signed because I’m supposed to tell them what they are supposed to do. No exco meeting had been held, except during the period the deputy governor was the acting governor. But since the governor had resumed duty on 7th September,  no exco meeting has been held.”

Group to Akeredolu: resume or transfer power to our deputy 

The Coalition of Civil Society Organisation for Democracy (CCSOD) advised Akeredolu to either resume office in Akure or hand over to his deputy.

Its Chief Convener,  Tunji Asaolu,  advised Akeredolu to prioritize the needs of the people.

 He argued that Ondo State cannot afford to be without effective leadership, urging the governor to rectify the situation.

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 He frowned at attempts by political jobbers to sow discord between the governor and his deputy and  exploit the power vacuum for personal gain.

 Asaolu said: “We, however, think the governor’s protracted absence raises serious concerns about the functionality of governance, effective decision-making and administrative efficiency in our beloved state.

 ”The intent of the framers of our constitution in Sections 189,190 and 191 is to avoid any kind of vacuum. And these sections explicitly emphasise the necessity to avoid a vacuum in leadership. The prolonged absence of the governor creates a governance vacuum, thereby impeding the effective administration of Ondo State.”

 ”Equally distressing is the apparent political interference by some persons not elected by the good people of Ondo state, preventing the Deputy Governor from fully discharging his constitutional duties in the absence of Governor Akeredolu. The people know their Governor and his Deputy, not a group of cabal or individuals constituting into “cabal.”

 ”We remind all stakeholders that the constitution empowers the deputy governor to act in the governor’s absence. The political manoeuvring preventing this is a violation of the very principles that underpin our democratic system. Ondo State deserves strong and unwavering leadership, especially in challenging times.

 “Therefore, we call on all relevant authorities to urgently address this matter and ensure the seamless transition of governance to the Ondo Deputy Governor, by the provisions of the Constitution.

 ”The people of Ondo state deserve transparent and accountable leadership, and we will not stand idly by while political machinations jeopardize the well-being of this noble and well-respected state.”