APC: Political crisis in Ondo will be resolved before guber poll

The Ondo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says the political tension in the state will be lowered before the 2024 governorship election.

The chapter also advised political gladiators and stakeholders in the state to be circumspect in their utterances and actions.

Ondo has been enmeshed in a political crisis since July 2023, when Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of the state, embarked on a three-month medical leave in Germany.

Upon his return to Nigeria, Akeredolu sacked media aides attached to the office of Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor.

Subsequently, the Ondo house of assembly launched impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa.

Reacting to the lingering crisis on Thursday, Alex Kalejaye, the Ondo APC spokesperson, said the face-off between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state is being critically examined by the combined teams of national and state leaderships of the party.

“The chapter is very hopeful that the situation would soon be resolved, to wade off avoidable political tension, and engender friendly atmosphere, ahead of the governorship election,” he said.

“The party expressed appreciation to various stakeholders, particularly the respectable elders in the state for their concerns, words of counsel, and prayers, assuring that the storm would be over soon.

“It is imperative to urge stakeholders to pursue peace with maturity and civilized conduct. Protests and violent agitations, as being contemplated by some groups, can only lead to personal injuries.

“We should be reminded that security agents would not condone destructive conducts under whatever pretense. We should be well guided.

“The ruling party commends the good people of the state for their peaceful disposition thus far, and their resolve to resist relentless efforts aimed at dragging them into unproductive agitations.”