ROTIMI DUROJAIYE writes that all eyes are now on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on how to resolve the impasse between him and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
There was jubilation in Edo State on Thursday when Governor Godwin Obaseki accepted the public apology made by his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
Obaseki noted that he was obliged to accept the apology as a person of faith.
In a letter titled, “Re: Public Apology by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu,” the governor said in good faith, he trusts that the public apology as expressed by Shaibu is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills.
The letter read, “I have noted the public apology made by the Deputy Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Philip Shaibu. This apology followed an aberrant behaviour that contradicts what the people of Edo State stand for.
“To name a few, the Deputy Governor needlessly filed unfounded petitions in the Nigerian courts restraining me, the State House of Assembly and Security agencies from a non-existent impeachment process, followed by repeated breaches of protocol; unwarranted and unprovoked attacks in the media on my person and the State Government.
“The media frenzy as a result of the above and more provided an impression of crises that has been precarious and distasteful to Edo people in the state and worldwide.
“Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am obliged to accept this apology because as they say, “to err is human, to forgive is divine.”
Obaseki further noted, “In good faith, I trust that the public apology as expressed by the Deputy Governor is genuine and followed by contrite steps to improve his conflict resolution skills. I also enjoin the Deputy Governor to guide his proxies to act in accordance with his piety.”
He added, “It is my sincere hope and that of my other colleagues in government and all well-meaning Edo people that these rhetorics will be put to an end forthwith to enable this administration finish strong and deliver the dividends of democracy to the greatest number of Edo people over this final twelve (12) months.”
“Although these unwarranted provocations caused me severe personal discomfort, as a person of faith, I am obliged to accept this apology because as they say, “to err is human, to forgive is divine”
Process of seeking my successor must be fair, says Obaseki
Barely 24 hours after accepting Shaibu’s apology, Governor Obaseki said the process of choosing his successor ahead of the governorship election in 2024 must reflect fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion, as his administration’s focus is to finish strong.
The governor, who disclosed this while addressing journalists on Friday, said it was not his place to determine, “appoint or anoint” his successor.
“But all I know is that in the process of seeking my successor, there must be fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion because our goal is to keep Edo as one.
“For me, that is the only issue I understood that may be a problem and that should not stop us. The important thing for us as an administration is for us to finish strong and try to complete everything we told Edo people we would do for them during our campaign,” he declared.
On his relationship with Shaibu, the governor said, “I have nothing personal against the Deputy Governor and never had. For me, the issues are very straightforward.”
Masari to reconcile Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa
Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress has taken a bold step toward resolving the lingering feud between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, after his return from medical treatment abroad.
The media has been awash in the last few weeks with reports of how Aiyedatiwa was served an impeachment notice by the state House of Assembly.
But the politician has yet to respond to all the allegations in the notice.
Reacting to the move, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the ruling party was currently exploring the option of an internal mechanism to resolve the crisis.
Ibrahim reiterated that the leadership of the APC was not making noise about it because it was a sensitive issue.
He said, “I don’t think the party will want an internal affair to go out of hand.
You are aware that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has just returned from a sick leave and the party has an internal mechanism for settling disputes.
“I am sure that option has not been exhausted. It is not for the party to start debating this on the pages of newspapers or in the media.”
Ibrahim also dismissed insinuation that certain elements who were seeing the governor as a lame duck had hijacked his government.
“No, the governor is above that. You cannot accuse him of being a lame duck or someone who is not in control of his affairs. For someone who has just returned from a sick leave, I think it will be unfair to drag him into undue conflict at this time.
“He needs time to recuperate properly and he needs the support of the people. Moreover, Akeredolu is a senior lawyer. But I can assure you that it will not go out of hand,” he noted.
The Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party, Nze Chidi Duru, also shared the same sentiment when he said the crisis was not something Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee could leave alone for the state to handle.
Meanwhile the APC national chairman has appointed the immediate-past Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, as chairman of a nine-man committee to intervene in the crisis between Ondo governor and his deputy.
The latest move was disclosed in a statement issued in the early hours of Friday by Ganduje’s Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu.
The former Governor of Kano State promised that the Masari committee would interact with stakeholders in the state, based on mutual respect, with a view to finding a lasting solution.
Things no longer at ease in Ondo State
Things are no longer at ease in Ondo State, as Governor Akeredolu is enmeshed in another political battle ahead of the 2024 governorship election.
The same political scenario played out four years ago when Governor Akeredolu was struggling to make a second term as governor of Ondo State; he had to battle Agboola Ajayi over the governorship ambition.
In the build-up to the 2020 governorship, Akeredolu ditched Ajayi, who is from riverine area of Ondo South Senatorial District and replaced him with Lucky Aiyedatiwa, another man from Ondo South as his deputy as a political strategy to win not only in Ese Odo Local government where Ajayi hails from, but also in the entire six local government areas that make up the Ondo South Senatorial District.
Ajayi later left the APC for Governor Akeredolu and the new bride, Aiyedatiwa to join Zenith Labour Party where he contested the governorship poll against Governor Akeredolu, but lost to the latter.
But, in what looks like a return match in Ondo, Governor Akeredolu was reportedly supporting impeachment of his deputy, Aiyedatiwa through the Ondo State House of Assembly over alleged financial misappropriation bordering on the approval of alleged N300 million for the purchase of bulletproof SUV for himself.
This development occurred while Aiyedatiwa was acting as Ondo State governor, following the medical vacation of Governor Akeredolu in Germany.
The impeachment process of the Ondo State deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa by the State House of Assembly, is trending in the state ahead of the 2024 gubernatorial poll as some stakeholders and people of the state have already advised the embattled deputy governor to honourably resign instead of being impeached.
But some politicians too were of the opinion that the removal of Aiyedatiwa would affect Governor Akeredolu’s succession plan as the people of Ondo South Senatorial District are beginning to lose interest in him.
It should be noted that since the return of Governor Akeredolu to the country after his three-month medical leave abroad, things have not been well with his deputy as Governor Akeredolu was said to be moving against perceived political enemies who were alleged to be making political gains from his ill-health by sacking all the media aides attached to Aiyedatiwa.
It gathered that the return of Governor Akeredolu after his medical leave abroad didn’t go down well with some politicians and a particular caucus in the ruling APC as the sudden return was said have destabilized the alleged political plan to unseat the governor due to his ill health and ensure that Governor Akeredolu doesn’t have an anointed successor in 2024.
Some of them, including the deputy governor, were alleged to have already drawn up political plans to capitalize on the ill health of Governor Akeredolu to manoeuvre their ways and take vantage position in the 2024 governorship election, against the interest of the Governor, with a thought that it was all over for Akeredolu to return to the Office, having been rumoured to have been incapacitated and unfit to rule the state again.
Aiyedatiwa, Deputy Governor; Oludunni Odu, Secretary to the State Government and some members of Akeredolu’s cabinet were said to have been aspiring to contest for the governorship election next year. Consequently, the polity is being heated up in such a way that the gladiators perceived one another as enemies, despite being a member of the same political party.
They were also alleged to have been monitoring the public and private activities of one another, back biting each other and reporting to their boss who is loyal and who is not loyal.
A source within the Akeredolu’s cabinet who preferred anonymity said that the day-to-day account of their loyalty and disloyalty of those that are aspiring for the governorship position was being reported to the Governor.
However, Aiyedatiwa has denied all the allegations of disloyalty against him and described all the allegations against him as the handiwork of his political detractors, faceless groups and group of individuals in the state, who are out to soil his image and pull him down politically.
Despite the denial, the crisis between Aiyedatiwa and his boss took another dimension a few days ago as the state House of Assembly said it had commenced an investigation on the allegations of financial misappropriation and gross misconduct leveled against the Deputy Governor.
The State House of Assembly declared its unequivocal position to examine all the allegations leveled against the Deputy Governor objectively, even at a time when Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly had dismissed the allegation that Governor Akeredolu was instigating the process of Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Olatunji Oshati, who spoke on behalf of his co-lawmakers in a press statement made available to journalists on the position of the Assembly over the impeachment plot on the Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa, said; “We wish to declare, unequivocally, that the entire process remains within the realm of allegations.
“We are committed to examining these allegations objectively. Our primary responsibility is to uphold the integrity of our beloved state and foster accountability and transparency, even at the highest levels of government.
“We find it necessary to address some misconceptions regarding the allegation letter served on the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. It is crucial that our people understand that an allegation letter does not equate to an impeachment verdict.
“Indeed, the allegation letter served to the Deputy Governor marks the initiation of the impeachment proceedings. However, it’s essential to remember that this is a procedure rooted in due process, not a hastily conducted impeachment. We are conscious of the integrity of our present assembly and will not falter in our constitutional responsibilities to our constituents.
“Consequently, we urge our constituents to refrain from making premature judgments. Neither the Deputy Governor nor the Governor is immune to legislative actions. The allegation letter has been served, and Mr. Deputy Governor has the full right to defend himself. Rest assured, we are committed to following due process and will do so diligently.”
Court stops move to impeach Aiyedatiwa
However, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, on Tuesday, restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching Aiyedatiwa.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the legislative house to suspend the impeachment process, pending the hearing and determination of a suit that was brought before it by the embattled deputy governor.
It subsequently adjourned the matter till October 9 for hearing.
Also, an Ondo State High Court sitting in Akure has granted leave to Aiyedatiwa to serve all processes filed in the suit of the state House of Assembly, its speaker, Olamide Oladiji, and the Clerk, Benjamin Jaiyeola.
Justice O. Akintan-Osadebay ordered that all processes filed in the suit be served on the defendants by posting on the front side wall/fence or entrance gate or any conspicuous area of the Assembly Complex.
He also directed the processes to be pasted on the notice board of the High Court of Justice, Akure.
The order of Justice Osadebey followed an application by Aiyedatiwa seeking an order for leave of the court to serve the Assembly by substituted means by posting the court processes on the wall/fence of the Assembly Complex.
Another twist to the impeachment process which is about to start, is the negative disposition of the Deputy Speaker, Abayomi Akinruntan, who is also from the same place with the Deputy Governor.
Akinruntan is said to be in support of Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment, and it’s believed in the political circle in Ondo State that some political forces are using the Deputy Speaker ahead of the 2024 governorship election.
Let Aiyedatiwa breathe, stakeholders cry out
Meanwhile, some stakeholders in the state believe that the Deputy Governor, who hails from Obe-Nla, an oil-rich community in Ilaje Local Government Area of the State, has no political structure even from his own Ilaje Local Government Area, even as the Southern Senatorial District that may like produce the next governor.
Politicians are now comparing Aiyedatiwa with Agboola Ajayi, the former Deputy Governor, who suffered same fate in the hands of Governor Akeredolu with strong political conclusions that Ajayi or other political bigwigs from Ondo South Senatorial District might be the likely successor of Governor Akeredolu as different political groups from the zone are said to be teaming up ahead of 2024 governorship election to produce the state governor.
While some stakeholders from Ilaje, the Local Government Area of the Deputy Governor, said; “Ondo State including Ilajes stood by Governor Akeredolu during his challenging moments, offering prayers and unwavering support. Now, it is his turn to repay this trust with effective governance by offering dividends of democracy to the people.
“Let Aiyedatiwa breathe and let Ondo State be peaceful and restful. Whoever tears the garment of honour, should be ready to wear a mass of disgrace”
“Aketi (Governor Akeredolu) needs to recognize that the shadowy figures in his government, if allowed to stall the progress of the state, may escape unscathed while his legacy suffers.
“To the Ondo APC Chairman, Speaker and members of the Assembly, remember that your names and reputations are at stake if the impeachment is indeed the Governor’s call, let him come to the public and defend his decision confidently and boldly.
“Otherwise, let Aiyedatiwa breathe and let Ondo State be peaceful and restful.
Whoever tears the garment of honour, should be ready to wear a mass of disgrace”, some leaders of the political movement in Ilaje said.
With the look of things, politically in Ondo State now, the people of riverine areas, covering the six Local Government Areas that form Ondo South Senatorial District are suffering from double jeopardy – firstly, they felt vilified and disrespected by Governor Akeredolu-led APC Government for ditching their sons, having used and dumped them at eleventh hour.
Secondly, they are being marginalised with the uneven distribution of common wealth in the state as oil-producing areas, tagged as the goose that lays the golden eggs, are left undeveloped despite crude oil funds coming to the state from the federation accounts.
“It’s crystal clear that Governor Akeredolu, a man from Owo in Ondo North Senatorial District, a zone which is not contributing resources as we do in riverine areas, just used us and dumped us. The way and manner he treated our brothers – Agboola Ajayi and Lucky Aiyedatiwa show that we are disrespected by the Governor.
“Our areas have been so exposed to ocean surge due to crude oil exploitation, our water is not potable, our farmlands are not good for farming any more, the roads are bad and it seems we don’t enjoy anything from Akeredolu’s government in Ondo, it’s better to put out sons and daughters forward for governor in 2024”, a senior politician from Igbokoda said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed September 21, 2024, for the Edo State governorship election while that of Ondo State will be held on November 16, 2024.
The electoral body said the announcement was in line with Section 178 (2) of the constitution, stipulating that election into the said offices shall be held not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the tenure of the last holder of the office.
Similarly, Section 28(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 requires INEC to publish the Notice for the Election not later than 360 days before the date of the election.
In a statement by its Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, on Tuesday, INEC noted that the tenure of the governors of Edo and Ondo States will end on November 11, 2024, and February 23, 2025, respectively.
“The Edo governorship election will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
“Party primaries will be held from February 1-24, 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9 am on March 4, 2024 and close at 6 pm on March 24, 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on April 23, 2024, while the campaign in public by political parties commences on April 24, 2024, and ends 24 hours prior to election day on September 19, 2024,” INEC said.
For Ondo State, it said, “The governorship election will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024.
“Party primaries will be held from April 6-27, 2024 while the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9 am on April 29, 2024, and close at 6 pm on May 20, 2024.
“The final list of candidates will be published on June 18, 2024, while the campaign in public by political parties commences on June 19, 2024 and ends 24 hours prior to election day on November 14, 2024.”
Reacting to the announcement, the Edo State APC and the Labour Party expressed excitement and their readiness for the poll.
APC Publicity Secretary, Peter Uwadiae, said “The release of the timetable shows that work has just begun. We are aware that the election will be competitive as we are going up against a sitting governor, who will be hell-bent on putting his successor in power.
“We did well in the last general elections by winning six of the nine House of Representatives seats and two out of the three Senate seats. We want to improve on that in the 2024 governorship election.”
Similarly, the LP Public Relations Officer, Sam Uruopa, said, “We are ready. So far, we have the highest number of aspirants in the state. We are going to provide a level playing ground for all of them and leave no stone unturned to ensure that the best candidate emerges. The Edo people are behind us and that will help us win the election.”
Also, in Ondo State, the APC Director of Publicity, Steve Otaloro, said, “This is indeed a positive development. As a political party, we can now officially begin our preparations for the upcoming election. In due time, we will share our plans with you, including the intentions of our aspiring aspirants both within the party and to the public.”
In the same vein, the Publicity Secretary of the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei, said, “We are prepared and we shall set the necessary machinery in motion to participate and put an end to the suffering of the people of Ondo State.”
