The Ondo State All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus in the House of Representatives has accused Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of making a series of decisions indicating his disdain towards his late predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu and against the growth of the party in the state.
The federal lawmakers, in an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, alleged that Aiyedatiwa has been associating with arch-political enemies of his yet-to-be-buried late predecessor and even cosying up to the opposition party.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa, former Deputy Governor of the State, was sworn in as governor sequel to the death of Governor Akeredolu in December.
The open letter to Tinubu was signed by five out the six federal lawmakers namely: Hon. Adesida Abiodun Cornelius (Akure North/South), Hon. Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose), Hon. Festus Adefiranye Ayodele (Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo), Hon. Odimayo Okunjimi John (Okitipupa/Irele), and Hon Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko south West/South East).
The lawmakers addressed journalists in Abuja on the intent of the letter, with the leader of the caucus, Adesida calling on the President to intervene by calling the governor to order.
According to them, the governor’s actions in the APC would cost the party electoral loss in the forthcoming 2024 governorship poll in the State.
They said since his swearing-in as governor, Aiyedatiwa has made a series of decisions that indicated his animosity towards the late Akeredolu and his lack of concern for the party’s growth in the state.
The lawmakers told the president that the governor has been associating with arch-political enemies of his late predecessor and even cosying up to the opposition party.
Adesida said: “The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr Aiyedatiwa is a well-known political adversary of the late Governor. Despite hailing from Owo, they never saw eye to eye during the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami caused a great deal of trouble for the late Akeredolu during his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you were committed.
“Furthermore, it has become common knowledge in the state that Mr Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with every disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. As an example, the appointment of Barrister Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Attorney General of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s campaign coordinator in Owo has been widely condemned by loyal party members, particularly in Owo.”
“There is a growing divide within our party and it is occasioned by the seed of enmity sown by Governor Akeredolu. Those who were once loyal to Akeredolu have been sidelined, while individuals from the opposition who aligned with Mr Aiyedatiwa in the fight against the late Akeredolu, demanding that he relinquished power to Aiyedatiwa when he was sick, now hold significant positions within the government and party.”
He also said recent events have revealed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s apparent eagerness to erase the legacy of the late Akeredolu and has been assuming credit for the successes and achievements of the deceased.
According to lawmakers, 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 Governor Akeredolu, were erroneously presented as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Adesida further said Governor Aiyedatiwa proceeded to dissolve the entire local government structures, including chairmen, councillors, and all government aides and appointees, adding that the calculated move aimed to erase the footprints of his late boss, and has left the party in a state of disarray.
“Mr. President, the Governor has created a significant divide and caused deep discord among party members. Currently, the party’s state Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, is being marginalised and sidelined. To make matters worse, Governor Aiyedatiwa has resorted to sending his proxies to warn the Chairman and pressure him into resigning. It is a bad situation, sir.
“The primary concern is clear: we must prevent Ondo State from falling into the hands of the opposition due to internal conflicts. As the party grapples with this tumultuous period, the urgent need for decisive and unifying leadership becomes more evident than ever.
“The decision made by Ayedatiwa to dissolve the Ondo State Executive Council has raised concerns and is being criticised as ill-conceived, imprudent, and misguided on multiple fronts. One of the main criticisms is the perceived rush behind the decision. Many questioned why the Governor couldn’t wait until the final burial of AKEREDOLU before taking such a drastic step.
“It is our fervent hope that Ondo, the Sunshine state, will be saved from further turmoil, and that the APC’s influence in the state will not wane. As representatives of the good people of Ondo State in the National Assembly, we pray that your Presidency will be guided by divine wisdom, resulting in remarkable development, peace, prosperity and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the letter reads further
