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Tinubu Restores Peace in Ondo Political Upheaval, as Factions Embrace Truce.
In his bid to restore political stability in Ondo State, President Bola Tinubu, late on Friday, has waded into the protracted crisis between factions loyal to the executive governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and that of his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
This followed a long negotiation between the President and the deputy governor, representatives of governor Akeredolu, federal and state lawmakers, officials of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives’ Congress, and other stakeholders at the State House, Abuja on Friday evening.
According to a statement by the
Special Adviser to the President
on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, President Bola Tinubu advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace.
Thie statement noted that the parley was an indication that governor Akeredolu remains the Chief Executive of the State, while Aiyedatiwa remains the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council continue their respective duties, even as the leadership of the State House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved.
The statement also emphasized that, Mr. Aiyedatiwa, who declared his decision to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, said that: “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 with 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 is in the past.
“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in 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.”
The deputy governor pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to rally around the Governor and himself to bring the dividends of democracy to the people of Ondo State.
Aiyedatiwa was quoted as saying that, “All the Executive Council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the Governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people.
“We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect.
“And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect.”
Also, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, who read the details of the resolution, said, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Secondly, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the Deputy Governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.
“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.”
On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, stated, “Our Father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude.
“Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.”
In his remarks, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of Friday’s late night deliberations, affirming that the party will remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments are adhered to.
The State APC Chairman said that, “Today is my happiest moment and I know that sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr. President.
“PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently.”
