The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus within the Home of Representatives has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, accusing the governor, Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, of making a disaster within the occasion within the state.
The governor was additionally accused of exhibiting disdain for his predecessor, the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
The open letter to President Tinubu was signed by six lawmakers, particularly, Adesida Abiodun Cornelius (Akure North/South), Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose), Festus Ayodele (Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo), Ojogo Donald (Ilaje/Ese-Odo), Odimayo Okunjimi (Okitipupa/Irele), and Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/South East).
Addressing journalists in Abuja on the intent of the letter, chief of the caucus, Mr Adesida referred to as on the President to intervene by calling the brand new governor to order earlier than he ignites a disaster that may value the occasion the forthcoming 2024 governorship ballot within the state.
He mentioned since his swearing-in as governor, Mr Aiyedatiwa had made a sequence of choices that indicated his animosity in direction of the late Akeredolu and his lack of concern for the occasion’s development within the state.
The lawmakers informed the president that the governor has been associating with arch political enemies of his late predecessor and even cozying as much as the opposition occasion.
“The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr. Aiyedatiwa is a widely known political adversary of the late Governor. Regardless of hailing from Owo, they by no means noticed eye to eye throughout the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami triggered quite a lot of hassle for the late Akeredolu throughout his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you had been dedicated.
“Moreover, it has turn into widespread data within the state that Mr. Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with each disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. For instance, the appointment of Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Legal professional Normal of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s marketing campaign coordinator in Owo has been broadly condemned by loyal occasion members, significantly in Owo,” the letter learn.
He additionally mentioned latest occasions have revealed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s obvious eagerness to erase the legacy of the late Akeredolu and had been assuming credit score for the successes and achievements of the deceased.
In keeping with the lawmakers, the announcement of the fee of N35,000 palliative allowance for civil servants and the settlement of January 2017 wage arrears, which had been beforehand authorized by the late Governor Akeredolu, had been erroneously offered as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Mr Adesida additional mentioned Mr Aiyedatiwa proceeded to dissolve the whole native authorities construction, together with chairmen, councilors, and all authorities aides and appointees, including that it was a calculated transfer geared toward erasing the footprints of his late boss, and has left the occasion in a state of disarray.
“Mr. President, the Governor has created a big divide and triggered discord amongst occasion members. At the moment, the occasion’s state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, is being marginalised and sidelined. To make issues worse, Mr Aiyedatiwa has resorted to sending his proxies to warn the chairman and strain him into resigning. It’s a unhealthy state of affairs, sir.
“There’s a rising divide inside our occasion; and it’s occasioned by the seed of enmity sown by Governor Aiyedatiwa. Those that had been as soon as loyal to Akeredolu have been sidelined, whereas people from the opposition who aligned with Mr. Aiyedatiwa within the battle towards the late Akeredolu, demanding that he relinquished energy to Aiyedatiwa when he was sick, now maintain important positions throughout the authorities and occasion,” the letter additional learn.
The lawmakers disclosed that their major concern is to stop Ondo State from falling into the arms of the opposition resulting from inner battle. They careworn the pressing want for decisive and unifying management on this making an attempt interval for the occasion.
“The choice made by Aiyedatiwa to dissolve the Ondo State Govt Council has raised issues and is being criticised as ill-conceived, imprudent, and misguided on a number of fronts. One of many principal criticisms is the perceived rush behind the choice. Many questioned why the Governor couldn’t wait till the ultimate burial of Akeredolu earlier than taking such a drastic step.
“It’s our hope that Ondo, the Sunshine state, might be saved from additional turmoil, and that the APC’s affect within the state won’t wane. As representatives of the great individuals of Ondo State within the Nationwide Meeting, we pray that your Presidency might be guided by divine knowledge, leading to outstanding improvement, peace, prosperity and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the lawmakers added.
In the meantime, the lawmaker representing Ondo East/Ondo West federal constituency within the Home of Representatives, Abiola Makinde has dissociated himself from the open letter to the president.
Mr Makinde, in an announcement on Friday, mentioned these behind the letter need to create a pretend disaster throughout the occasion within the state.
“I wouldn’t have responded to the sudden letter purportedly written and signed by 5 Members of the Home of Representatives from Ondo state towards Governor Fortunate Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in the event that they hadn’t made the error of letting it appear like one emanating from Ondo state caucus within the Inexperienced chambers, however signed by simply 5 of them. I need historical past to be type to me, therefore, the necessity to make clear points,” he mentioned.
“With due respect to my colleagues, I believe this letter has revealed those that intend to create a disaster within the occasion relatively than averting it. That lawmakers, who’re leaders in their very own constituencies, would out of the blue get up to guard the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who they deserted when he was alive, is self-defeating.
“For the reason that dying of the previous governor, this caucus has not deemed it match to pay a condolence go to to his household, however they declare to now love him in dying greater than when he was alive. What was the position of the caucus throughout the inglorious days of thick politics that almost introduced down our state final 12 months? What number of letters did we write to the president to avoid wasting the state from those that intentionally clogged it? It took the non-public intervention of the President to resolve the political disaster within the state final 12 months, however these lawmakers had been nowhere to be present in that course of,” the assertion learn.
Mr Makinde famous that it was straightforward to dissect the purported assertion that the lawmakers’ complaints usually are not about Ondo State or her individuals, however concerning the coming governorship election.
He careworn that whereas there’s a identified aspirant among the many 5 that wrote the letter, all of them are supporting completely different aspirants.
“Adesida, chief of the caucus, is angling to be the operating mate of one of many governorship aspirants within the state. Odimayo is a governorship aspirant. Adelegbe is the Director Normal of the marketing campaign of one other governorship aspirant, Mayowa Akinfolarin whereas Akinfiranye is the Director Normal of the marketing campaign of one other aspirant, Wale Akinterinwa, who’s his kinsman.
“Due to this fact, it’s straightforward to see the place the reality lies in all of this. There may be nothing honourable in being bonded to battle a standard enemy who you assume is forward. I’ll by no means be part of such,” he added.
Publicity Secretary of the occasion within the state, Alex Kalejaiye, in his response, mentioned there have been misgivings which had been raised in a gathering with the governor. He famous that every one the problems had been resolved and the governor promised to handle all issues.
“Proper now, the occasion is united and there’s no battle between the occasion and the state authorities. So, the occasion is ready for the approaching election and you’ll see that many individuals from the opposition are defecting to the APC,” Mr Kalejaiye mentioned.
Efforts to get the governor’s media aides to reply to the allegation had been unfruitful. A number of calls made to his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, weren’t answered.
