Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has vehemently refuted claims of endorsing any planned protest against the state’s Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
The allegations, brought to light by the Ondo Youth and Masses Conscience, raised concerns about a potential demonstration orchestrated by loyalists of the Deputy Governor to protest against Governor Akeredolu’s absence from the public eye.
Adetunji Benjamin, the State Coordinator of the youth group, highlighted their suspicions, claiming that the mobilization of youths, particularly from Ilaje in Ilaje local government area, was part of a larger agenda to present a distorted account of the Governor’s health status. This alleged plan, as alleged by the group, aimed to depict Akeredolu as incapacitated and deliberately concealed from public view by his family and associates.
“Even worse, they intend to employ the slogan “Jara e gba” to mislead the people of the state and garner support for actions that may incite discord against the Governor.
“We strongly condemn these actions and call on the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take notice of this treacherous endeavor, even after their previous interventions.
“While we are well aware of the character of those involved, it is essential to put on notice that despite the reconciliation efforts by the national leadership of the APC, the Deputy Governor and his supporters seem unwilling to embrace peace in the state.
“We are in possession of evidence of the planned press conference and protest, during which mocking statements were made about the people of Ondo State.
“This action undermines the efforts of the National Working Committee of the APC.
The Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in response to these claims, denied any involvement in the purported scheme via a statement signed in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Aiyedatiwa said
“This is to inform the good and peace loving people of Ondo State that I am not aware of any such protest and no group or association has my endorsement to carry out public demonstration of any kind.”
The full text:
PREESS STATEMENT
NO GROUP HAS MY ENDORSEMENT TO HOLD ANY PROTEST IN ONDO STATE
• My attention has been drawn to some false publications in which it was alleged that a group loyal to me is planning to hold a protest against the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, today in Akure.
• This is to inform the good and peace loving people of Ondo State that I am not aware of any such protest and no group or association has my endorsement to carry out public demonstration of any kind.
• I affirm my commitment to the ongoing reconciliation efforts of the National leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the political situation in our State which are already yielding the much needed tranquility in the State.
• Therefore, I enjoin the security operatives in the State to continue to maintain peace and ensure that the good people of Ondo State go about their daily activities without any disturbance.
• Thank you.
Signed:
Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
Deputy Governor, Ondo State.
Recall that the impeachment process against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in the Ondo State House of Assembly was recommenced, on Monday.
Read also: Ondo Assembly Requests Aiyedatiwa to Retract Lawsuits
The initial suspension of the process, earlier intervened by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdulahi Ganduje, appeared to have ended, as Chief Judge of Ondo State Olusegun Odusola refused to appoint a panel for investigating the alleged misconduct attributed to Aiyedatiwa by the lawmakers.
In a meeting led by Speaker Oladiji Olamide, involving a delegation from the assembly and Abdulahi Ganduje, it was agreed to temporarily halt the impeachment proceedings to allow for a diplomatic resolution of the brewing crisis. A primary condition for this agreement was that Aiyedatiwa would retract the legal cases he had initiated to impede the impeachment process.
According to sources, the assembly, having received no indication of Aiyedatiwa withdrawing the cases as per the agreed terms, chose to resume the impeachment process.
In a recent development, the Speaker addressed another letter to the Chief Judge, urging the formation of a panel for the investigation of the allegations against Aiyedatiwa, in line with the provisions of Section 188 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Notably, the Speaker emphasized that the restraining order issued by an Abuja High Court had lapsed or been extinguished by the operation of the law, citing the provisions of Order 26 Rule 10(2) & (3) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
Furthermore, Oladiji highlighted that the court had not yet addressed the motion filed by the assembly to dismiss the order or strike out the case due to lack of jurisdiction.
The letter reads:
“The court has not taken the application or renewed the order, as evident in the Certified True Copy of the court’s record of proceedings for October 9, 2023 and October 16, 2023.
“In Exhibit ODHA3, it was recorded that the motion was served on the plaintiff in court on October 9, 2023, after which the matter was adjourned till October 16, 2023.
“In view of the above facts, your lordship will agree that the said order has elapsed by the operation of the law, and no longer constitutes an encumbrance for your lordship to discharge the sacred constitutional obligation placed on your office by virtue of Section 188 (5) of the constitution to set up the seven-man panel.
“Consequently, the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly hereby calls on your lordship to kindly constitute the panel without any further delay.”
According to Majority Leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, the suspension of the impeachment process was never implemented, as per his assertion. He emphasized that the assembly had not been presented with any proof indicating Aiyedatiwa’s withdrawal of the legal cases.
Ogunmolasuyi reiterated that a consensus among 23 lawmakers had been reached, favoring the constitution of the panel by the chief judge.
“Should we wait for the party before we perform our duty? As an arm of government we have followed due process and the impeachment process has never been suspended.
“This is a constitutional issue. There is an allegation which we have furnished the deputy governor and he has not replied.”
