Aide to Aiyedatiwa: Akeredolu doesn’t meddle in affairs of Ondo assembly

The Ondo government has clarified that Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of the state, does not meddle in the affairs of the house of assembly.

On Thursday, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, deputy governor of Ondo, apologised to Akeredolu over the political crisis in the state.

Aiyedatiwa who has been in the eye of the storm over an allegation of gross misconduct against him by the house of assembly added that he would continue to stay loyal to the governor and his principles.

The deputy governor had appreciated Akeredolu “for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of the Ondo assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.

His apology comes amid the recommencement of impeachment proceedings against him by the Ondo house of assembly.

However, in a reaction to Aiyedatiwa, Doyin Odebowale, the senior special assistant on special duties to Akeredolu, said the governor has “never in any time persuaded the legislature to embrace the solution put forward by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Odebowale said this is contrary to what the deputy governor insinuated, adding that Akeredolu would align with the constitutional process concerning the impeachment matter against the deputy governor.

“While Mr governor may not be averse to embracing, cautiously, any seeming overtures impelled by genuine contriteness, making the following clarifications become pertinent,” he said.

“The governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, does not meddle in the affairs of the house of assembly of Ondo state, as subtly suggested at the press conference.

“There has never been any time when the governor “persuaded” the distinguished members of Ondo State house of assembly to embrace the political solution offered by the All Progressives Congress (APC), “in the face of an impeachment move against” the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa. 

“Mr governor cannot descend too low. It is interesting to read that the deputy governor also distanced himself from all groups and platforms notorious for maligning the governor, members of his family and all those perceived as his close allies and supporters, in recent times.

“More instructive is the unfortunate reference made to “a series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by Mr governor, which gave rise to misunderstandings, misconceptions, assumptions, and insinuations, and exploited by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election.”