After months of playing ‘monkey’ politics on Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s health, the State House of Assembly has confirmed Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the acting Governor of the state.
Akeredolu began another medical leave on Wednesday, 13 December, as a follow-up to his medical treatment.
Mr Akeredolu, who is battling an undisclosed ailment, was away for the first medical leave between June and August 2023 in Germany.
He returned to the country shortly after the leave expired in September 2023 and announced his resumption of duties but failed to show up at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure, which prompted the citizenry to ask about his whereabouts.
His absence heightened political tension in the state, prompting calls for transmission of power to Aiyedatiwa in line with the constitutional provisions.
Aiyedatiwa with some other stakeholders met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the political logjam in Ondo State.
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The acting governor, who landed at Akure Airport in a commercial airline on Wednesday, December 13, was received by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Director of Corporate Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ifedayo Abegunde.
He arrived in the state shortly after the House of Assembly confirmed the receipt of a letter from Governor Akeredolu transmitting power to him.
In the letter, Akeredolu also announced he will be embarking on a medical leave.
Also, the development resulted in division among members of the State Executive Council, with some commissioners pitching tents with Aiyedatiwa.
It was also alleged that some officials were forging the governor’s signature.
Aiyedatiwa’s earlier pledge
The Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa had vowed to carry all commissioners and officials along in handling the state’s affairs.
Aiyedatiwa made the pledge following President Bola Tinubu’s meeting with Ondo state officials, the All Progressives Congress, APC, members and other stakeholders over the political logjam in the state in Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, November 24, pledging to maintain the status quo and unite all the warring factions.
“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 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 in his past.
“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family. With the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken.
“And 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,” he vowed.
The acting governor pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to cooperate with the governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State.
This was as the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide also resolved to halt all impeachment moves against Aiyedatiwa.
Olamide, 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 status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.
“We will maintain status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.”
Meanwhile, President Tinubu had ordered the police to withdraw from the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly in Akure.
Recall that the state assembly had served the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, an impeachment notice following alleged gross misconduct.
The deputy governor subsequently challenged his impeachment in court.
Also, the continued absence of Governor Akeredolu after his return from a medical vacation abroad has further heightened tensions in the state.
Supporters of Aiyedatiwa threatened to protest last week if the governor failed to resume. They demanded that in the alternative, Aiyedatiwa be declared acting governor.
Notable personalities including the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and traditional rulers, appealed to the President to intervene.
