Tinubu wades into the Ondo crisis, inviting gladiators to Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has stepped into the political squabble between Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

According to Vanguard, the President has called the Speaker of the state House of house, Olamide Oladiji, and members of the house to a vital meeting in Abuja today (Friday).

Also, invited to the meeting, according to a reliable source in Akure, include the state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, and other state leaders of the party.

National Assembly members representing the state, have equally been invited to the meeting.

Recall that the state assembly had served the deputy governor an impeachment notice following alleged gross misconduct.

The deputy governor subsequently challenged his impeachment in court.

Also, the continued absence of Governor Akeredolu after his return from medical vacation abroad has further heightened tensions in the state.

Supporters of Aiyedatiwa threatened to protest last week if the governor failed to resume. They demanded that in the alternative, Aiyedatiwa be declared acting governor.

Interventions
Notable personalities including the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and traditional rulers, appealed to the President to intervene.

The leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, had written a letter to President Tinubu to urgently intervene to avoid a constitutional crisis.

Vanguard gathered that the 26 members of the state House of Assembly have been polarised, following the lingering crisis.

Eleven of the members have reportedly crossed over to the side of the embattled deputy governor. And they are now pushing that he be declared acting governor.

A source told vanguard that ” the state House of Assembly members have been divided. 11 have crossed over to the side of Aiyedatiwa. They’ve been wooed by some forces in Abuja.

“They’ve planned a sitting for today ( Friday), with the intention to declare Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor. But the President’s invitation stopped the plan.

Contacted , the Speaker, Rt Hon Oladiji, who confirmed the meeting with President Tinubu, said the outcome of the meeting would determine the next line of action.

Oladiji said that ” the scheduled Friday’s plenary was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor and not to declare Akeredolu as incapacitated.

He said the meeting with President Tinubu would hold on today.

Meanwhile, vanguard gathered that the lawmakers have planned to hold a plenary session today ( Friday) to discuss the political situation of the state.

A lawmaker, who spoke with Vanguard in confidence said that the planned sitting to discuss the political logjam in the state had the approval of the national secretariat of the party.

According to him ” 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 us may not be at the plenary today because they are not in support of Aiyedatiwa becoming an acting governor but the national leadership of the APC knows about our decision. We may declare Aiyedatiwa acting governor today.”

Speaking on the development, the Chairman, the House Committee on Information, Mr Olatunji Oshati, confirmed the planned plenary but was evasive on the declaration of Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor.

Oshati 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.

He added: “The House is 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.”