The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has expressed his remorse and offered apologies to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the negative coverage and perceived discord between them during the latter’s medical vacation.
Speaking at a press conference in his office on Thursday in Akure, Mr Aiyedatiwa expressed his sadness over the embarrassment and discomfort the governor endured due to the barrage of negative news in the state during his absence over the past few months.
The State House of Assembly had initiated impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, resulting in various interest groups taking sides either for or against the move.
In an effort to restore peace and tranquility to the state, the deputy governor pledged his loyalty to Governor Akeredolu and his commitment to the development of the state. He clarified that there had never been any issues between him and the governor, and asserted that he never undermined the governor’s authority.
Furthermore, Mr Aiyedatiwa emphasized that some political actors had simply taken advantage of Governor Akeredolu’s absence to create a nonexistent crisis for their personal gain.
“I am profoundly grateful to Mr governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of the Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of an impeachment move against me,” he stated.
“Our beloved state has witnessed a series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by Mr Governor, which gave rise to misunderstandings, misconceptions, assumptions, and insinuations, and exploited by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election.”
“The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr governor being questioned.”
“Considering the circumstances, I hereby extend my unreserved apologies to Mr governor and the good people of Ondo state. Together, we will navigate this journey with honour, divine guidance, and good health, by the grace of God,” he concluded.
Furthermore, Mr Aiyedatiwa vehemently denied all the allegations being made against him by those he described as “desperate to remove him from government ahead of the next election.” He pledged to maintain decorum in the face of these false and baseless accusations, and urged all political actors to prioritize peace in the state to ensure that the people enjoy the benefits of democracy.
“We have been reading all sorts of lies about me in the media. None of them are true. There has never been any issue between Mr governor and myself, and I have never undermined him. This is a manufactured crisis solely for the purpose of the upcoming election.”
“I remain fully committed to the principles of good governance that Mr Governor has established, and I pledge my unwavering loyalty to him. I will continue to submit myself under his able, courageous, and selfless leadership,” Mr Aiyedatiwa asserted.
He expressed gratitude to the national leadership of the APC for intervening to halt the impeachment proceedings against him, and reiterated his commitment to the ongoing reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace in the state.
“I hold a great deal of respect for the Speaker, members of the House of Assembly, and members of the State Executive Council, and I do not harbor any grudges. I appeal to all political actors in the state to prioritize peace, so that we can focus on the development of our dear State,” he concluded.
NAN
