Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has returned to the state capital, Akure, following the controversies surrounding the resolutions reached at the meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last Friday night.
After a two-week absence during which he fought against impeachment attempts by the State House of Assembly, Aiyedatiwa resumed office at Alagbaka, Akure. The deputy governor is now expected to preside over the state Executive Council meeting on Thursday at the Exco Chamber.
This development is believed to be a result of the peace brokered by President Tinubu upon the request of Afenifere foremost leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti.
However, journalists have been barred from gaining entry into the chamber during the meeting, according to the itinerary signed by the Chief of Protocol, Bola Alabi.
A source within the cabinet, who opted for anonymity, revealed that this Executive Council meeting comes approximately three months after the last one held in Ibadan following Governor Akeredolu’s return from a medical vacation.
“The excos meeting that will be held on Thursday shows that everyone is sticking with the resolution reached with Tinubu.
“All that we are focused on is the development of Ondo State, and that should be paramount in the minds of all of us at the moment.
The state witnessed a political crisis over the stalled impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa, with allegations of gross misconduct leveled by the State House of Assembly. Supporters of the deputy governor had called for the governor’s resignation, citing his prolonged absence, while the governor’s camp accused Aiyedatiwa of working against his boss.
President Tinubu’s intervention led to a resolution maintaining the status quo and urging both camps to embrace peace. However, Speaker of the State Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, clarified that there was no resolution to make Aiyedatiwa the acting governor.
Ondo Assembly Resolves Political Crisis, Embraces Peace, Progress
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Oladunni Odu, the State Chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, and Oladiji himself were mandated to enforce the resolutions.
He said:
“Dear Colleagues, Please permit me to formally welcome you to this hallowed chamber following the recent harrowing and tortuous political crisis that shook the entire state to the marrow.
“Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me present to the good people of Ondo State the resolution reached after the meeting with representatives of Ondo State, the House of Assembly and State Executive Council members, members of the National Assembly from Ondo State, and the State Chairman of our party with his Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That all parties shall embrace peace. The status quo shall be maintained by all parties. That all impeachment proceedings be deactivated forthwith and all court cases be withdrawn by all parties.
“There will be no resolution of the State Executive Council. that the leadership of the party and the restructuring remain intact. that the House of Assembly leadership remain intact.
“That Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa continues to perform the function of the office as deputy governor. That undated letter of resignation must be written, signed by the Deputy Governor and submitted to the President.”
