The political turmoil in Ondo State has entered a new phase, with the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expected to sign an undated resignation letter, as disclosed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji.
The Speaker clarified that the submission of an unsigned resignation letter aligns with the agreement brokered by party leaders during the reconciliation led by President Bola Tinubu at Aso Villa in Abuja over the weekend.
Key figures from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, including Oladiji, Secretary to Government Mrs. Oladunni Odu, party chairman Ade Adetimehin, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South), were present at the peace parley.
During yesterday’s plenary session, the report of the peace parley was presented to lawmakers, who rejected attempts by some members to declare Ayedatiwa as acting governor.
The Speaker, reading from the prepared text, outlined additional terms from the meeting with the President, including the suspension of impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, withdrawal of court cases by Ayedatiwa, maintenance of the status quo within the party, House of Assembly, and State Executive Council.
Other terms included Ayedatiwa’s role as deputy governor rather than acting governor, a display of loyalty by the deputy governor to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and the prohibition of seeking vendetta.
To ensure compliance with the resolutions, a three-man panel consisting of Oladiji, Odu, and Adetimehin was appointed. Oladiji cautioned against sowing seeds of disunity, warning that those promoting such discord for political gain would face legal consequences.
Reflecting on the conflicts, Oladiji emphasized the adherence to legal frameworks in their actions, despite attempts to undermine their efforts. He described the recent events as a demonstration of democracy at play, highlighting its participatory nature, checks, and balances. He concluded that the unfolding events provided an opportunity for assessment and reassessment, ultimately resulting in a win-win situation.
