An Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) pressure group, Ondo Solidarity Forum (OSF) has applauded President Bola Tinubu for what it described as “his well-timed intervention in the political logjam affecting effective governance in the state”.
Rising from an emergency meeting in Akure at the weekend, the group stated it had become vindicated by its stance that the deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, should continue as Acting Governor, following the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who is currently recuperating in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a communique issued by its acting chairman, Hon. Femi Ogunleye, and publicity secretary, Prince Kayode Fasua, the OSF described Aiyedatiwa as a tested and trusted hand who could oversee governance in the absence of his boss.
It noted, however, that ” the crisis between the deputy governor and a section of the Ondo State House of Assembly is the handiwork of a few persons in the state cabinet, who are best described as the cabal; because they individually want to succeed Akeredolu as the next governor of Ondo State”.
“We are immensely pleased that President Tinubu, as the father of the nation, has rescued us from this hiatus and Aiyedatiwa can now fully take charge of the state’s administration pending when his boss will be fit to resume duty.
“We particularly resent the idea of having people who are not constitutionally empowered to be fiddling with the state’s financial allocations, pretending to be taking orders from a governor who is managing his health,” the group enthused.
It also urged Aiyedatiwa “not to be cowed by undue intimidation, but act in good conscience by reconciling all estranged forces in the APC for the overall success of the party in next year’s governorship election, and also serve the people of the state to the best of his ability “.
“Besides, Aiyedatiwa needs to reach out to the leadership and members of the Ondo State House of Assembly for needed cooperation to continue with the good foundation laid by Governor Akeredolu, especially in respect of fostering infrastructural development and human empowerment.
“At this crucial time, what we need under this forward-looking Tinubu administration is attracting development to Ondo State, and not a ‘chicken fight’ that can turn neighbours on war path.
“The lawmakers also need to cooperate with Aiyedatiwa and forget the recent disagreement, as such could happen in any democracy,” the OSF counselled.
Meanwhile, the group also expressed appreciation to elder statesman, Pa Reuben Fashoranti, and former presidential candidate, Chief Olu Falae, as well as other leaders of thought in Ondo State, for wading into the raging leadership crisis, which finally resonated in the intervention of President Tinubu.
“Our elders in Ondo State have truly acted out the Yoruba adage that says, ‘The head of a strapped baby cannot go wonky in the market place, in the presence of elders’,” the group applauded.
