The prolonged political deadlock in Ondo State appears to have been addressed following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, who warned Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa not to overstep his bounds.
President Tinubu convened a closed-door meeting lasting over six hours at the Abuja villa, involving key stakeholders to resolve the impasse.
Attendees included APC National Chairman Umar Gbanduje, embattled Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, APC State Chairman Ade Adetimehin, House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Olamide Oladiji, and Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, among others.
An anonymous source at the meeting disclosed to Vanguard that President Tinubu instructed the maintenance of the status quo, cautioning against declaring Aiyedatiwa as acting Governor and emphasizing his role as Deputy Governor.
Tinubu was said to have directed Aiyedatiwa to resume duties as the Deputy Governor, urging the continuity of the state executive council and party executive committee, and demanded a letter of undertaking from Aiyedatiwa to uphold peace in the state.
“The President frowned at the move to declare Aiyedatiwa as acting Governor and warned that such must never happen in the state.
“President Tinubu directed that the deputy governor should go and resume work as deputy governor and not as acting governor,” the sources said.
Moreover, the President appointed key officials to monitor Aiyedatiwa’s compliance and urged the withdrawal of all court cases initiated by the Deputy Governor and his associates.
The attempted declaration of Aiyedatiwa as acting Governor by 11 House members was thwarted following President Tinubu’s intervention, preventing external forces from influencing the decision.
The move, allegedly spearheaded by the Deputy Governor alongside the national party chairman, was halted due to the President’s involvement.
Amidst this, the Progressives Mandate Renewal (PMR) lauded President Tinubu’s mediation, commending his leadership and loyalty.
The PMR Coordinator, Samson Ogunyemi, praised Tinubu for curbing the Deputy Governor’s group’s aspirations, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the status quo for peace and stability in the state.
The President’s directive, including the call for Aiyedatiwa to sign an undated resignation letter, aimed at curbing his actions, received appreciation and support from the PMR, acknowledging Tinubu’s decisive leadership.
