President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Friday, urged all stakeholders involved in the political crisis in Ondo state to sheathe their swords and embrace peace amid the protracted political impasse in the state.
The President’s meeting with the stakeholders, which lasted over six hours, was attended by the National Chairman of the APC, Umar Gbaduje; embattled deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; APC state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin; Speaker of the House of Assembly; Hon. Olamide Oladiji and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim.
Others in attendance included members of the House of Assembly; Secretary to the Ondo State Government; Princess Oladunni Odu; the Governor’s aides including Dare Aragbaiye; Aminu Raimi; and the Governor’s son, Babajide Akeredolu.
Sources at the meeting disclosed that the President, after listening to the parties involved, ordered that the status quo should be maintained.
According to the sources, the President frowned at the move to declare Aiyedatiwa as the acting Governor and warned that such action should be put on hold and must never happen in the state.
“President Tinubu directed that the deputy governor should go and resume work as deputy governor and not as acting governor. He also directed that the state executive council should remain intact, ditto for the party exco, contrary to threats.
“The President went further to ask Aiyedatiwa to do a letter of undertaking and maintain peace in the state. Mr. President also appointed the SSG, Princess Oladunni, Party Chairman, Adetimehin, and the Speaker of the House, Oladiji to monitor and report the deputy governor if he deviated from the resolution reached at the meeting,” the source disclosed.
It was gathered that the President also gave a marching order to the deputy governor to withdraw all cases instituted by him and his group in the court with immediate effect.
Recall that earlier yesterday, 11 members of the House of Assembly had planned to hold a plenary and declare the deputy governor as acting governor. The move was said to have been instigated by the deputy governor in the company of the national chairman of the party, Ganduje.
Meanwhile, a group, Progressives Mandate Renewal (PMR), has hailed President Bola Tinubu over his intervention in the protracted political crisis in the state, saying the intervention will help to restore peace in the state.
According to the group, President Tinubu has again proved himself as the leader of the people and a compassionate leader who appreciates loyalty.
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Coordinator, Samson Ogunyemi, noted that Tinubu has humbled the arrogance and pride displayed by the deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s group.
Ogunyemi, in a statement on Saturday, said: “The target of the deputy governor’s group is to declare the governor incapacitated and oust the governor. They were fervently rooting for the governor to be disgraced out of office.
“While the meeting was going on yesterday, the deputy governor’s group was already jubilating on social media. They thought the outcome of the meeting would be in their favor.
“For the deputy governor and his group, this is a defeated expectation. Their wishes and expectations have been dashed and defeated. The people of the state can now see the true nature of the deputy governor.
“We are particularly happy that the President has ordered that the status quo must remain. This is a right step towards ensuring peace and understanding in the state.
“The resolution passed and the request by the President that Aiyedatiwa should sign a resignation letter undated will tame his excesses and guide him into behaving properly.
“We will continue to appreciate President Tinubu and assure him of our commitment and undying support.”
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