Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has condemned the recent impeachment process initiated against him, describing it as “unnecessary and avoidable.”
In a televised address to the state on Thursday morning, Aiyedatiwa assured residents that the government has recovered from the two-month disruption caused by the political crisis. He expressed his gratitude to the people for “standing by the truth.”
He said, “I cannot but specially appreciate the third arm of Government, the Judiciary through the honourable chief Judge, for its courage, commitment and dedication to protect democracy and the constitution of the nation. It is on record that we all sailed through the unnecessary and avoidable weather together. We won together. We are all one large family. We are one great people with one focus: to make our state greater than it is today.”
“At a personal level, I am confident that our democracy would be further enriched with the hard lessons learnt from this episode. For us in government, this whole experience should open a new place in our hearts; a place where we must appreciate that the trust vested in us as a part of the small privileged percentage of people, must be used for the best welfare of the larger percentage of the people. We must rise far above the intrigues and instability of the past and roll up our sleeves in service of the people. We are nothing but trustees of the people with whom we share a common humanity. We must and we will exercise with utmost discretion the privileges conferred on us by the great people of Ondo State.”
The acting governor also offered his prayers for the speedy recovery of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who recently embarked on another medical leave to Germany. Akeredolu, who has been battling cancer, had been to Germany for treatment on two separate occasions this year, although he only handed over power to Aiyedatiwa this last time.
Akeredolu’s return from his most recent trip in September was marked by controversy. Upon return, he immediately sacked all media aides attached to the deputy governor’s office, citing “insubordination and disregard to the appropriate authority.” This move further deepened the political crisis in the state, culminating in the impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa.
However, President Bola Tinubu intervened in November, urging both parties to resolve their differences amicably.
