A few hours after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the political unrest roiling Ondo State, state leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have maintained that deputy governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa ought to be given the authority to operate as acting governor.
In an effort to break the state’s political impasse, the APC leaders in Akure over the weekend urged that Aiyedatiwa assume the role of acting governor in line with the state constitution. They did this by organizing the Ondo APC Progressives Stakeholders Group.
In order to preserve the status quo, Tinubu had urged Aiyedatiwa to stay in her position as deputy governor.
However, the Ondo APC stakeholders, after their meeting in Akure, expressed concerns over the continued absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, stating that it has adversely affected the governance and economy of the state.
In a statement issued after the meeting and signed by the Chairman, former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Afe Olowookere, and Secretary, Hon. Raman Rotimi, who was also a former APC Secretary in the state, the urgent need for the House of Assembly to empower Aiyedatiwa to assume the responsibilities of the acting governor was emphasized.
“APC party members should be allowed to participate and determine those to be appointed or elected into political and party offices.
“Elders and leaders of the party must be recognised and given their pride of place in the party, rather than being neglected and ostracised by the party.
“The system of writing the names of party executives and candidates without due process will be objected to and resisted with all political and legal means possible, the statement said.
