Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo state, has pledged to ensure the inclusion of all commissioners and officials in overseeing the state’s affairs.
Aiyedatiwa made this commitment after a meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, where President Bola Tinubu convened with Ondo state officials, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and other stakeholders to address the political challenges in the state on Friday.
The deputy governor has promised to keep the current situation intact and work towards unifying all factions in conflict.
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, has concurrently resolved to suspend all impeachment initiatives against Aiyedatiwa.
Olamide, said, ‘Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace.’
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‘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.’
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has instructed the police to withdraw from the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly in AkureIt’s important to remember that the state assembly had served Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa with an impeachment notice, alleging significant misconduct.
The deputy governor has taken the step to challenge his impeachment through legal channels.
In addition, Governor Akeredolu’s extended absence after his medical vacation abroad has further elevated tensions in the state.
Last week, backers of Aiyedatiwa issued a protest warning, stating that if the governor did not return, their demand was for Aiyedatiwa to be appointed as acting governor.
Prominent individuals, such as the pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere and traditional rulers, have made appeals for the President to intervene.
Tensions reached a climax yesterday as state lawmakers aligned with the deputy governor moved to designate him as the acting governor.
It was at that point that Tinubu extended an invitation, urging them to gather in Abuja.