President Bola Tinubu has resolved the political crisis and feud between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, amid the former’s continued absence in the state.

In a late-night meeting on Friday at the presidential villa, Mr Tinubu asked the loyalists of both Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa to bury “the hatchet and embrace peace” in the interest of the state.

The President, in a statement on Saturday by his chief spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale,, also declared that the existing status quo in the cabinet of the state remained despite Mr Akeredolu’s ill-health.

“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 the 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,” Mr Tinubu was quoted in the statement.

Mr Tinubu’s intervention into the state political crisis came after the logjam between the loyalists of Akeredolu and his deputy over the governor’s persistent absence from the state due to ill-health and refusal to hand over power.

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.⁣

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The President advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace, eliciting commitments to this effect. ⁣

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This means that Governor Akeredolu remains 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.⁣

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The statement added that Mr. Aiyedatiwa, promised to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, saying, “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.⁣

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“And I want to say that with no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it, and every other thing is in the past. ⁣

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“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in everything that we do, we will work together; the executive and the legislature will work together to ensure that governance is on the right track.”

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It further stated that Mr Aiyedatiwa pleaded with members of the state executive council to rally around the governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State. ⁣

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He said, “All the executive council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people. We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect. And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect.’’ ⁣

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Also, Speaker of the state Assembly, Mr Oladiji Olamide, who according to the statement read the details of the resolution, was quoted as saying, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Second, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the deputy governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.

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“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the state House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.” ⁣

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On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, also stated, “Our father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude, Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.” ⁣

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In his remarks, the state All Progressives Congress Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of the deliberations, affirming that the party would remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments were adhered to. ⁣

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“Today is my happiest moment. And I know sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr President. The PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently,” Adetimehin stated. ⁣

Not long ago, leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, called on Mr Tinubu to save the state from political turmoil by intervening in the feud between the governor and his deputy.

Also, several groups including the members of the opposition parties had lamented Mr Akeredolu’s absence from the state, noting that his action of holding on to power despite his health challenge was stalling development.

Below is the full statement

Opposing factions vow to uphold peace, maintain status quo ⁣

⁣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 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.⁣

⁣Mr. Aiyedatiwa, who declared his decision to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, said: “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.⁣

⁣“And I want to say that with no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it, and every other thing is in the past. ⁣

⁣“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in everything that we do, we will work together; the executive and the legislature will work together to ensure that governance is on the right track.”

⁣He pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to rally around the Governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State. ⁣

⁣“All the Executive Council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the Governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people.⁣

⁣“We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect. ⁣

⁣“And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect,” the Ondo State Deputy Governor pledged. ⁣

⁣The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, who read the details of the resolution, said, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Secondly, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the Deputy Governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.

“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.” ⁣

⁣On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, stated, “Our Father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude, Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.” ⁣

⁣In his remarks, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of Friday’s late night deliberations, affirming that the party will remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments are adhered to. ⁣

⁣“Today is my happiest moment. And I know sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr. President.⁣

⁣“PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently,” Adetimehin stated. ⁣

Chief Ajuri Ngelale⁣

Special Adviser to the President⁣

⁣(Media & Publicity)⁣

⁣November 25, 2023