The All Progressives Congress lawmakers within the Home of Representatives, loyal to the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, have referred to as on President Bola Tinubu to warning the state governor, Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, for alleged disrespect for his late principal.
Aiyedatiwa’s emergence as governor of the state adopted the demise of Akeredolu on December 27, 2023.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu and signed by six lawmakers comprising 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) Federal Constituencies, the lawmakers warned of dire penalties for the APC if Governor Aiyedatiwa doesn’t retrace his steps.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, chief of the caucus, Adesida referred to as on Tinubu to wade into the matter and save the face of the ruling celebration, notably with the governorship election due in September.
He accused Aiyedatiwa of constructing official selections that gave him away as a person with little or no respect for the legacies left behind by the late Akeredolu.
He additionally accused the governor of hobnobbing with identified political enemies of Akeredolu, including that the individual appointed as Deputy Governor meted out lots of ache to the previous Governor.
Adesida mentioned, “The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr Aiyedatiwa is a well known political adversary of the late Governor. Regardless of hailing from Owo, they by no means noticed eye to eye through the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami triggered a substantial amount of bother for the late Akeredolu throughout his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you have been dedicated.
“Moreover, it has develop into frequent information within the state that Mr Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with each disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. For example, the appointment of Barrister Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Legal professional Normal of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s marketing campaign coordinator in Owo has been broadly condemned by loyal celebration members, notably in Owo.”
Adeshida who chairs the Home Committee on the Federal Highway Security Fee additionally added that the announcement of the cost of N35,000 palliative allowance for civil servants and the settlement of January 2017 wage arrears, which have been beforehand authorised by the late Akeredolu, have been erroneously offered as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
“Mr President, the Governor has created a major divide and triggered deep discord amongst celebration members. At present, the celebration’s state Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, is being marginalised and sidelined. To make issues worse, Governor Aiyedatiwa has resorted to sending his proxies to warn the Chairman and strain him into resigning. It’s a unhealthy scenario, sir.
“There’s a rising divide inside our celebration, and it’s occasioned by the seed of enmity sown by Governor Aiyedatiwa. Those that have been as soon as loyal to Akeredolu have been sidelined, whereas people from the opposition who aligned with Mr Aiyedatiwa within the struggle towards the late Akeredolu, demanding that he relinquished energy to Aiyedatiwa when he was sick, now maintain vital positions inside the authorities and celebration.
“The first concern is obvious: we should stop Ondo State from falling into the arms of the opposition as a result of inner conflicts. Because the celebration grapples with this tumultuous interval, the pressing want for decisive and unifying management turns into extra evident than ever.
“The choice made by Ayedatiwa to dissolve the Ondo State Government Council has raised issues and is being criticized as ill-conceived, imprudent, and misguided on a number of fronts. One of many fundamental criticisms is the perceived rush behind the choice. Many questioned why the Governor couldn’t wait till the ultimate burial of Akeredolu earlier than taking such a drastic step.
“It’s our fervent hope that Ondo, the Sunshine State, can be saved from additional turmoil and that the APC’s affect within the state is not going to wane.
“As representatives of the great individuals of Ondo State within the Nationwide Meeting, we pray that your Presidency can be guided by divine knowledge, leading to outstanding improvement, peace, prosperity, and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the letter additional learn.
When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, declined touch upon the matter.
Nonetheless, the state deputy governor, Adelami refuted the allegation that he was an enemy of the late governor Akeredolu.
In a press release by the Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Mr John Paul Akinduro, Adelami described the allegation as malicious and falsehood from the accusers.
Akinduro mentioned the deputy governor supported the late Akeredolu throughout his political marketing campaign.
The assertion learn partly, “Chief Adelami was by no means an enemy of the late governor nor some other political participant in Ondo State or elsewhere. The deputy governor is an honest politician and philanthropist with a verifiable monitor file.
“It’s instructive to notice that Chief Adelami has all the time been a robust member of the APC and staunch supporter and reliable ally of late Governor Akeredolu for eons.
“Worthy of point out is the truth that the deputy governor gave ethical, political, and monetary assist to the late governor through the electioneering campaigns, resulting in his first and second phrases in workplace and, subsequently rendered the identical assist all by means of his tenure as governor of Ondo state.”
