President Bola Tinubu has stepped into the conflict between Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
A source mentioned by The Nation newspaper reported that President Tinubu has summoned members of the Ondo Assembly to Abuja on Friday.
Recall that Ondo State has faced political turmoil since the governor’s return from a medical trip, with his supporters making vigorous attempts to oust the deputy governor for actions taken during Akeredolu’s absence.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa is embroiled in a struggle for survival, facing removal moves by Akeredolu’s loyalists.
The deputy governor’s ordeal began upon Akeredolu’s return, marked by the dismissal of all media aides in the deputy governor’s office.
Governor Akeredolu’s loyalists in the State Assembly cited 14 offenses allegedly committed by Aiyedatiwa, including accusations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, and maligning the governor’s credibility through media publications.
Efforts to impeach Aiyedatiwa have marginalized the deputy governor, who has been engaged in legal battles.
While the National Working Committee of the APC intervened, the deputy governor appears to have been completely sidelined.
However, in the past couple of weeks, the attention has shifted away from the deputy governor to Mr Akeredolu, with a call for his impeachment.
Within the week, Prominent elders and traditional rulers appealed to President Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis to avert looming anarchy.
Reports indicate a divided Ondo Assembly, with 11 lawmakers now supporting Aiyedatiwa, reportedly influenced by external forces. Their planned session for Friday was reportedly pushed by these 11 lawmakers.
Speaker Oladiji Olamide, who confirmed the meeting with President Tinubu, said the outcome of the meeting would determine the next line of action.
Oladiji said the scheduled Friday’s plenary was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor and not to declare Akeredolu as incapacitated.
He said the meeting with President Tinubu would hold on Friday afternoon.
“Our sitting was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor. The Governor is still alive,” he said.