The conflict between those supporting Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), the governor of Ondo State, and his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, appeared to have resolved months ago, and Akeredolu is still the state’s governor, according to a statement from the presidency.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Advisor on Media and Publicity, made this claim in a statement on Saturday.
The statement was given in response to rumors that state legislators may have received instructions from President Bola Tinubu to proclaim Ayedatiwa the acting governor in accordance with the theory of necessity.
PUNCH previously reported that following hours of discussions between the President and state officials, including members of the All Progressives Congress, who gathered at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja until late on Friday night, the deputy governor, lawmakers, and other involved parties embraced peace and pledged to uphold the status quo.
In the statement, the Presidency affirmed that Akeredolu remains the governor.
The statement read, “In his bid to restore political stability in Ondo State, President Bola Tinubu, late on Friday, waded into the months-long crisis between factions loyal to the Executive Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“This followed marathon negotiations between the President and the Deputy Governor, representatives of Governor Akeredolu, federal and state lawmakers of Ondo, officials of the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress, and other stakeholders in the state at the State House, Abuja.
“The President advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace, eliciting commitments to this effect.
“This means that Governor Akeredolu remains the Chief Executive of the State, Aiyedatiwa remains Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council continue their respective duties, even as the leadership of the State’s House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State is preserved.”
