Impeachment saga: It’s a win-win situation, says Ondo speaker on Tinubu’s intervention

Olamide Oladiji, speaker of Ondo house of assembly, has described President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the crisis within the state as “a win-win situation”.

Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor, has been in a cold war with Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, since he returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany.

Akeredolu’s frosty relationship with Aiyedatiwa culminated in an attempted impeachment of the latter.

On Friday, Tinubu intervened in the rift between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.

The president had a meeting with Aiyedatiwa, members of the Ondo house of assembly, and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the presidential villa.

Reading the resolutions reached at the meeting to his colleagues at plenary on Tuesday, Oladiji said the assembly’s actions were guided by the rules of law.

“Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attends were made to blackmail and throw a spanner in our wheel as a body of lawmakers. Thank God, we all acted and spoke in one voice,” Oladiji said.

“Notwithstanding, however, the event which we all have just witnessed, provided an avenue for assessment and reassessment.

“It was a win-win situation, thanks to the Almighty God and timely intervention of our political leaders and elders who were resolute in ensuring that peace return to our darling sunshine state.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me present to the good people of Ondo state, the resolution reached after the meeting of representatives of the Ondo state house of assembly, the state executive council members, members of the national assembly from Ondo state and the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress with his excellency, the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leadership of our great party.

“That all parties shall embrace peace; that status quo be maintained by all parties; that all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties; that there will no dissolution of the state executive council.

“That undated letter of resignation must be written, signed by the deputy governor and submitted to the president; that the party leadership and structures remains intact; that the house of assembly leadership remains intact; that Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as deputy governor.

“That three enforcers including the state chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, the speaker of the state of house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji adesanmi, and secretary to the state government princess Catharine Oladunni Odu were appointed to monitor compliance with the foregoing resolution.”

Oladiji urged those involved in the dispute to sheathe their swords and think of better ways to accelerate the development of the state in the interest of the people.

“Let me, at this juncture, warn politicians and other gladiators fanning the embers of war in this state, because of their political interests, to please thread softly as the house of assembly will not hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law in calling them to order,” he added.