ORF Warns Against Impeachment of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa As Akeredolu Reacts
A Civil Society Organisation, Ondo Redemption Font (ORF) under the leadership of Comrade Ayodeji Ologun has called National Assembly to prevail on Ondo State House of Assembly to stop Impeachment process of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa as to avoid throwing the state into anarchy.
The group made the call at a Press Conference held on Monday 25, 2023 at Press Centre, Ondo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists at the presence of Mogbojuri kayode Co-Chairman, Ogunleye Tosin, Obanoyen Abiola and Dotun Ajula among others.
According the leadership of the group: “Ondo Redemption Front (ORF) is a group of professionals of Ondo descent and are deeply interested in the progress of Ondo state. We work to foster a collaborative environment that promote dialogue and encourages policies that truly reflect the needs and aspirations of our people, with a specific focus on advancing the welfare of Ondo state residents.We envision a future characterized by prosperity and growth.
“We stand resolute in our dedication to ensuring that the interest and dreams of the citizens of Ondo state remains central to the policies making and decision making process. We shall continually provide timely advice to government on proper running of the affairs of Ondo State.
“It is no longer news, that the last six months or thereabout, Ondo State have been facing leadership challenges due to the unfortunate ill health of the Governor of the State Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN andas you may be aware as contained in the public domain that the health condition of Mr. Akeredolu led to his departure abroad for medical interventions.
“We should also remind ourselves, that it took the interventions of various stakeholders to prevail on Mr. Akeredolu to transmit power to his Deputy Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa in line
with the 1999 constitution to act as the Governor of the state while he was to embark on medical trip outside the country.
“It is also important to state that throughout the period Mr. Akeredolu sojourn for medical trip abroad, governance in Ondo State became impossible as a result of individuals who constituted themselves into cabal and claimed to be defending the interest of the ailing governor and in the process, incapacitated the Acting Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa from acting as the governor of the state, a process that led to collapse of governance in Ondo State.
“While Mr. Akeredolu returned to the country, for over two weeks that he returned to Nigeria in controversial manner, he has not been sighted in the state rather, he has been hid somewhere in Ibadan by his cronies where he has been operating through proxies and thereby made governance in the state to be carried out in secrecy.
“Also, worthy of mention is the fact that since the return of Mr. Akeredolu and his refusal to resume at his official duty -post for the governance of the state, a situation that is causing serious apprehension in the state, the State House of Assembly has not been helping matters rather, The Ondo State House of Assembly has decided to add salt to injury by instigating violence, anarchy and orchestrating break down of law and order by embarking on unjustified and unwarranted process of impeachment
of the Deputy Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa at theexpense of the peace, stability and the welfare of the
people of Ondo State.
“As a group, we strongly believe that politics should be the least of the worries of the political class in Ondo state at the moment but delivery of good governance in the overriding interest of the people of the state. Our people has been cheated over time with no progressive impact on
their daily life. A large chunk of Ilaje land is taken over by overflow of water without attending concern, no one is
talking about the state of the state owned institutions as well as the other critical sector of our economy.
While we don’t hold brief for the embattled deputy governor, we warn and sternly too that the state house of assembly recruise herself from the whims and caprices of those who are bent on holding the state by the jugular without carrying the mandate of the people. We are not unaware that this is not about accountability as the house wants us to believe but a vendetta by a class of crass opportunists who have unfettered access to the resources of the state occasioned by the incapacity of the Governor.
In view of the above stated and the contemplation of section 11(1)(4)(5) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, we hereby implore The National Assembly to call Ondo State House of Assembly to order in the overriding interest of the people of the state and the country at large.
ORF also called for açcountabilty of palliative fund that led to assault of Commissioner For Women Affairs, Mrs. Bunmi Oshadahu
The group used the occasion to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over appointment of youths of Ondo State origin in his cabinet and called for more.
Reacting, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde said “The location of the Governor isn’t hindering any form of development in the state. In fact, the Governor, upon his return to the country, immediately held meetings with crucial stakeholders to discuss matters of state importance, showcasing his commitment to the state’s development irrespective of his location.
It’s noteworthy to mention that the Governor has recently signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into Law. This is a progressive step towards the development of the state, further reinforcing the fact that the government is operational and effectively functioning.
In the same vein, the various state ministries are delivering efficiently on their mandates. Specifically, the Ministry of the Budget and Economic Planning recently commenced a series of town hall meetings in preparation for the 2024 budget, demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparent and inclusive governance.
As of this moment, construction work is in progress at the Onyarubulem-Shagari/Irese flyover, which is a significant landmark as the first flyover in Akure, the state capital, since Ondo State was created. This administration also constructed the first flyover in the state at Ore, further emphasizing its commitment to infrastructural development.
The Governor has continually expressed appreciation to the good people of Ondo State for their unwavering support and prayers during his medical vacation. He issued a personal press statement, expressing his gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, the good people of Ondo State, and other distinguished Nigerians.
Just last week, the Governor instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands & Housing to commence the permanent rehabilitation of the Akure-Owena-Ondo Road. This action was taken to prevent unnecessary hardship and loss of lives on the federal highways located within Ondo State territory.
To alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the state government, through the palliative committee led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, is actively distributing palliatives to the state’s residents. Moreover, the state’s free school shuttle buses have resumed operations, providing transportation for children to school. Civil servants are also benefiting from special transportation arrangements to and from work.
Significant progress is being made in the construction of the ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure. Furthermore, the government ensures the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.
The government is not only functional but also actively advancing the state’s development. The location of the Governor, therefore, should not be sensationalised, but rather, the focus should be on the tangible progress being made in the state,” the CPS said.