The All Progressives Congress lawmakers in the House of Representatives, loyal to the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, have called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for alleged disrespect for his late principal.
Aiyedatiwa’s emergence as governor of the state followed the demise of Akeredolu on December 27, 2023.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu and signed by six lawmakers comprising Adesida Abiodun (Akure North/South), Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose), Festus Ayodele (Ileoluji- Okeigbo/Odigbo), Ojogo Kimikanboh(Ilaje/ Ese- Odo), Odimayo John (Okitipupa/Irele) and Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/ South East) Federal Constituencies, the lawmakers warned of dire consequences for the APC if Governor Aiyedatiwa does not retrace his steps.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, leader of the caucus, Adesida called on Tinubu to wade into the matter and save the face of the ruling party, particularly with the governorship election due in September.
He accused Aiyedatiwa of making official decisions that gave him away as a man with little or no respect for the legacies left behind by the late Akeredolu.
He also accused the governor of hobnobbing with known political enemies of Akeredolu, adding that the person appointed as Deputy Governor meted out a lot of pain to the former Governor.
Adesida said, “The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr Aiyedatiwa is a well-known political adversary of the late Governor. Despite hailing from Owo, they never saw eye to eye during the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami caused a great deal of trouble for the late Akeredolu during his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you were committed.
“Furthermore, it has become common knowledge in the state that Mr Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with every disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. As an example, the appointment of Barrister Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Attorney General of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s campaign coordinator in Owo has been widely condemned by loyal party members, particularly in Owo.”
Adeshida who chairs the House Committee on the Federal Road Safety Commission also added that the announcement of the payment of N35,000 palliative allowance for civil servants and the settlement of January 2017 salary arrears, which were previously approved by the late Akeredolu, were erroneously presented as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
“Mr President, the Governor has created a significant divide and caused deep discord among party members. Currently, the party’s state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, is being marginalised and sidelined. To make matters worse, Governor Aiyedatiwa has resorted to sending his proxies to warn the Chairman and pressure him into resigning. It is a bad situation, sir.
“There is a growing divide within our party, and it is occasioned by the seed of enmity sown by Governor Aiyedatiwa. Those who were once loyal to Akeredolu have been sidelined, while individuals from the opposition who aligned with Mr Aiyedatiwa in the fight against the late Akeredolu, demanding that he relinquished power to Aiyedatiwa when he was sick, now hold significant positions within the government and party.
“The primary concern is clear: we must prevent Ondo State from falling into the hands of the opposition due to internal conflicts. As the party grapples with this tumultuous period, the urgent need for decisive and unifying leadership becomes more evident than ever.
“The decision made by Ayedatiwa to dissolve the Ondo State Executive Council has raised concerns and is being criticized as ill-conceived, imprudent, and misguided on multiple fronts. One of the main criticisms is the perceived rush behind the decision. Many questioned why the Governor couldn’t wait until the final burial of Akeredolu before taking such a drastic step.
“It is our fervent hope that Ondo, the Sunshine State, will be saved from further turmoil and that the APC’s influence in the state will not wane.
“As representatives of the good people of Ondo State in the National Assembly, we pray that your Presidency will be guided by divine wisdom, resulting in remarkable development, peace, prosperity, and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the letter further read.
