AKURE – The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday said it cannot make Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa acting governor of the state.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu met with the leadership of the state Assembly and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, at the State House, Abuja on Friday in a bid to intervene in the crisis threatening the peace in the state.
According to a source, the president had told the stakeholders that while ailing Oluwarotimi Akeredolu should remain the governor, Aiyedatiwa should be allowed to remain as the deputy governor while the Assembly should refrain from any impeachment moves.
The source also stated that the president asked Akeredolu to proceed abroad on another medical vacation in order to have a comprehensive treatment instead of staying in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he has been since early September when he came back from his medical trip abroad.
Akeredolu was expected to write a letter to the Assembly, transmitting power to Aiyedatiwa to function as acting governor pending his return, if he makes the decision to travel.
In a resolution by the state House of Assembly at the plenary on Tuesday in support of the resolutions reached with the president on Friday night at Aso Rock, the lawmakers stated that Aiyedatiwa remains the deputy governor of the state and not in acting governor capacity.
It was also disclosed that Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was given the condition to sign an undated resignation letter in order to drop the impeachment process against him to checkmate him in case he attempts to renege on the agreement reached during the meeting with the president.
The lawmakers also revealed that three political leaders in the state were chosen to monitor the deputy governor and other parties to the agreement to ensure they adhere to the dictates of the resolutions.
Reading the position of the Assembly, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, said that the resolutions reached with the president during the meeting include: “That Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as deputy governor; that all parties shall embrace peace; that status quo be maintained by all parties.
“That all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties; that there will be no dissolution of the State Executive Council.
“That undated letter of resignation must be written, signed by the deputy governor and submitted to the president.
“That the party leadership and structures remain intact; that the House of Assembly leadership remains intact.
“That three enforcers including, the state chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, the Speaker of the state of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi, and Secretary to the State Government, Princess Catharine Oladunni Odu, were appointed to monitor compliance with the foregoing resolution.”
He said: “Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attempts were made to blackmail and throw a spanner in our wheel as a body of lawmakers. Thank God, we all acted and spoke in one voice.
“Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.
“Honestly, I must confess that what we just witnessed was democracy at play. Democracy in my view is a form of participating government that provides for give and take, checks and balances. It is a process in which the actions and or inactions of the ruler and the ruled are guided by the constitutions and the rules of law. It is a process that provides room for questions and answers when occasions demand.
“We, as elected representatives of the people, have only acted within the precincts of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We have demonstrated courage when occasion demanded for it. We asked questions when there was cause for us to do so.
“Finally, I must commend you all, distinguished honourable members and colleagues, representatives of our people for electing to toe the line of peace.
“Honestly, there can never be any iota of development in an atmosphere devoid of peace. It is my sincere hope that the good people of our darling Sunshine State will harvest more dividends of democracy and good governance within the ambit of this renewed peace in our darling state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, let me present to the good people of Ondo State, the resolution reached after the meeting of representatives of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council members, members of the National Assembly from Ondo State and the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress with his Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leadership of our great party.
“I urge everyone to sheathe the sword, bury the hatchet and think of better ways to accelerate the much needed development of our darling Sunshine State in the interest of our people.
“On our own part, I pledge, as always, on behalf of my colleagues to continue to work with the other arms of government and other stakeholders towards enhancing the delivery of democracy dividends to our people.
