As agitations mount on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to step down from office and attend to his fragile health, the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state has asked critics to be wary of their utterances.
In a statement by party’s spokesperson, Alex Kalejaye, on Wednesday, the party said the protest and violent agitations by groups demanding that Mr Akeredolu resign office and hand over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, should note that their desire could only lead to personal injuries.
The statement indicated, “The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has advised political gladiators and stakeholders to be circumspect in their utterances and actions as regards the political development in the state.
“It is imperative to urge stakeholders to pursue peace with maturity and civilized conduct. Protests and violent agitations, as being contemplated by some groups can only lead to personal injuries. We should be reminded that security agents would not condone destructive conduct under whatever pretence. We should be well guided.”
The latest statement from the party came after some groups, believed to be sponsored by politicians, threatened to storm the state capital, Akure to demand the resignation of ailing Mr Akeredolu from office.
One of the groups had reminded the residents of the state that it had been over 80 days since the governor left Ondo without allegedly returning to the state.
In June, Mr Akeredolu travelled to Germany for a medical vacation after falling sick and transmitted power to his deputy, Mr Aiyedatiwa, in an “acting capacity” pending his return to the country.
The governor later announced his return to the country in September and officially wrote the House of Assembly of his resumption to office. A copy of his letter to the lawmakers was also forwarded to Mr Aiyedatiwa.
“Mr Akeredolu had been resting in Ibadan, Oyo State capital where he attends to visitors and state functions,” one of his political aides, Doyin Odebowale, said during a live television programme.
Political watchers believe that the development cast doubt on Mr Akeredolu’s continued fitness for the office.
The state house of assembly which had been at the centre of the impeachment saga of the deputy governor has also been urged to apply the constitution in the absence of Mr Akeredolu to avoid a political crisis in the state.
The situation in the state on Tuesday forced Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to write to President Bola Tinubu to wade into the “constitutional crisis” in the state to avoid a looming breakdown and order in Ondo.
The stamen further stated that the APC was hopeful that the political situation in the state would soon be resolved to check avoidable tension ahead of the 2024 governorship poll.
It added that the faceoff between the executive and legislative arms of the state government was being critically examined by the combined teams of national and state leaderships of the party.
“The (APC) chapter is hopeful that the situation would soon be resolved, to wade off avoidable political tension, and engender a friendly atmosphere, ahead of the governorship election.
“The party expressed appreciation to various stakeholders, particularly the respectable elders in the state for their concerns, words of counsel, and prayers, assuring that the storm would be over soon. The ruling party commended the good people of the state for their peaceful disposition thus far, and their resolve to resist relentless efforts, aimed at dragging them into unproductive agitations,” the statement added.
The party added “The Ondo APC further applauded security agents for all the efforts and sacrifices to ensure a peaceful atmosphere. They have been commendably organised and supportive in this regard.”
