All Progressives Congress members in the House of Representatives who supported the late Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, have urged President Bola Tinubu to warn Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state governor, over what they see as disrespect for his late principal.
On December 27, 2023, Aiyedatiwa became the state’s governor after Akeredolu passed away.
Six lawmakers—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)—signed an open letter to President Tinubu, warning of dire consequences for the APC should Governor Aiyedatiwa does not reverse course.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Friday, Adesida, the caucus leader, urged Tinubu to get involved in the situation and protect the reputation of the ruling party, especially with the September governorship election approaching.
He charged that Aiyedatiwa’s official actions revealed him to be a man who had little regard for the late Akeredolu’s legacy.
In addition, he charged that the governor had socialized with Akeredolu’s known political rivals and that the deputy governor had caused the former governor a great deal of suffering.
“The deputy governor nominated by Mr. Aiyedatiwa is a well-known political rival of the late governor,” Adesida declared. Even though they were from Owo, they were never on the same page when the late Governor was alive. When Olajide Adelami ran for reelection in 2020, you were dedicated to helping him cause as much problems as possible for the late Akeredolu.
Furthermore, Mr. Aiyedatiwa has allied himself with every resentful and well-established political adversary of the late Akeredolu, as is widely known throughout the state. For instance, many party members, especially in Owo, have strongly objected to the choice of Barrister Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former state attorney general, as Aiyedatiwa’s campaign coordinator in Owo.
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 incorrectly presented as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa, according to Adeshida, the chair of the House Committee on the Federal Road Safety Commission.
“Mr. President, the Governor has stoked intense conflict and a wide rift among the party. Ade Adetimehin, the party’s state chairman, is currently being ignored and neglected. Governor Aiyedatiwa has resorted to warning the Chairman and pressuring him into resignation, which has made the situation worse. It’s not a good scenario, sir.
Our party is becoming more and more divided, and Governor Aiyedatiwa is to blame for sowing the seeds of discord. Former Akeredolu supporters have been marginalized, while opposition figures who stood by Mr. Aiyedatiwa during the late Akeredolu’s illness and demanded that he give up power to Aiyedatiwa now occupy important positions in the party and government.
“There is no doubt that our main priority is to keep Ondo State out of the hands of the opposition as a result of internal strife. It is clearer than ever that the party needs decisive and uniting leadership as it navigates this turbulent time.
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Concerns have been raised and Ayedatiwa’s decision to dissolve the Ondo State Executive Council is being attacked for being poorly thought out, reckless, and foolish on several fronts. The seeming haste with which the decision was made is one of the primary criticisms. Many questioned why the governor would act so precipitously so soon after Akeredolu’s final burial.
“We sincerely hope that Ondo, the Sunshine State, would be spared from more unrest and that the All Progressives Congress’s (APC) hold will not diminish.
“We pray that your Presidency would be guided by divine wisdom, culminating in amazing progress, peace, prosperity, and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the letter said, speaking for the good people of Ondo State in the National Assembly.
