Ondo State House of Assembly has today cleared the air on the controversies surrounding the meeting of politicians from the state with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on who should be in control of the state between ailing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa
In a resolution by the state House of Assembly at the plenary on Tuesday in support of the resolutions reached with the President on Friday night at Aso Rock, the lawmakers stated that Aiyedatiwa remains the deputy governor of the state and not in acting governor capacity.
It was also disclosed that Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was given the condition to sign an undated resignation letter in order to drop the Impeachment process against him to checkmate him in case he attempts to renege on the agreement reached during the meeting with the President.
The lawmakers also revealed that three political leaders in the state were chosen to monitor the Deputy Governor and other parties to the agreement to ensure they adhere to dictates of the resolutions.
Reading the position of the Assembly, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji said that the resolutions reached with the President during the meeting include: “That Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as Deputy Governor; 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“That all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties; That there will no dissolution of the State Executive Council;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 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.”
The speaker noted that there attempts to blackmail and disintegrate members of the state Assembly, describing the development as sheer democracy at play.
He said: “Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attempts 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.
“Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.
“Honestly, I must confess that what we just witnessed was democracy at play. Democracy in my view is a form of participating government that provides for give and take, checks and balances. It is a process in which the actions and or inactions of the ruler and the ruled
are guided by the constitutions and the rules of law. It is a process that
provides room for questions and answers when occasions demand.
“We, as elected representatives of the people, have only acted within
the precinct of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We
have demonstrated courage when occasion demanded for it. We asked
questions when there was course for us so to do.
“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 returns to our darling Sunshine State.
“We must in this regard thank the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, for his timely intervention.
“We must also commend the leadership of our great party, APC, at the state and national levels for demonstrating leadership when occasion demanded.
Specifically, we must thank our elders and esteemed Afenifere leaders Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Pa Seinde Arogbofa among others, for their peace initiatives at a critical time like this.
“Our thanks also go to our traditional rulers, religious leaders, among other leaders of thought, for the peace that has returned to the Sunshine State.
“Finally, I must commend you all, distinguished Honourable members and
Colleagues, representatives of our people for electing to toe the line of
peace.
“Honestly, there can never be any iota of development in an atmosphere devoid of peace. It is my sincere hope that the good people of our darling Sunshine State will harvest more dividends of democracy and good governance within the ambit of this renewed peace in our
darling 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.
“I urge everyone to sheathe the sword, bury the hatchet and think of better ways to accelerate the much needed development of our darling Sunshine State in the interest of our people.
“On our own part, I pledge, as always, on behalf of my colleagues to continue to work with the other arms of government and other stakeholders towards enhancing the delivery of democracy dividends to our 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.”
•INDEPENDENTNG.