By Ken Afor
There are speculations that lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly may declare Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the acting Governor over concerns of Rotimi Akeredolu’s ill-health.
According to PUNCH, the lawmakers will hold a plenary session today (Friday, November 24, 2023) to discuss the state’s political situation.
The outlet added that the lawmakers would discuss the lingering crisis in the executive arm of the government and ways to get the state back to full operation since the return of Akeredolu in September.
TheNewDiplomat in a series of publications noted that Governor Akeredolu who had returned to the country since September is yet to resume duty fully in Akure – the state capital and seat of power.
Akeredolu had been working from his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. His media aide has explained this was to allow him recover fully as the atmosphere in his office in Akure isn’t conducive for his recovery.
According to the outlet, Friday’s plenary had the support of the party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) after concerted efforts to reconcile the lingering face-off between Akeredolu and his deputy Aiyedatiwa and the House of Assembly, following allegations against the deputy.
The source said: ” The lawmakers are ready to meet today (Friday). One of the agenda of the sitting is the declaration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor. Though some of the lawmakers may not be at the meeting today because they are not in support of Aiyedatiwa becoming acting governor, the national leadership of the APC knows about it and has approved the meeting. So they may declare Aiyedatiwa acting governor today.”
Giving credence to the development, Mr. Olatunji Oshati, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, verified the progress but was unable to guarantee whether Aiyedatiwa would be named an acting governor or not.
The Assembly spokesman said, “What I can tell you for now is that there is something like that, not to declare him (Aiyedatiwa) but the House is going to sit on the matter and review the political situation today as directed by our national leaders. The House has likely (made the declaration), but not under must. I don’t want to preempt what the outcome of the meeting would be. If it is likely to happen, you are invited as well.”
Today in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu will convene a meeting with Assembly members to address the continuing dispute in the state.
It would be recalled the state’s lawmakers made countless efforts to impeach Aiyedatiwa following their indictment against the Deputy Governor who was alleged to have approved the sum of N300 million for the purchase of an SUV without the knowledge of his principal who was at the time out of the country.
