Ondo: Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa rift causing governance void — Group

The Ondo State Consciousness Movement (OCM) has alleged that the ongoing rift between the Governor of the State, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has created a governance void in the state.

This is just as the group called on the Ondo State House of Assembly to follow strict laid down procedures in the Constitution as they commence the impeachment of the State Deputy Governor.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of OCM, Shalom Olaseni, the group insisted that the grounds for the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State must in itself be firmly rooted in identifiable ultra vires actions that the constitution explicitly outlines as legitimate grounds for impeachment

“We want to categorically demand that with regards to reports of a plot to impeach the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, that all actions taken by the Ondo State House of Assembly regarding the impeachment of the Deputy Governor be conducted in strict accordance with the letters of the law, the rule of law, and the clear constitutional provisions that govern our great state.

“It is our unwavering belief that the legislature should not allow its hallowed floor to be tainted with political witch-hunts or targeted vendettas, as has been rumoured in various quarters in the state. The alleged discord between the State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu who recently returned from a protracted sick leave abroad, and the Deputy Governor, stemming from the Deputy Governor’s alleged gubernatorial ambitions, should not be allowed to overshadow the pursuit of justice and adherence to constitutional principles.

“It is undeniable that in recent times, the governance of our beloved Ondo State has suffered a detrimental void since the onset of the ongoing rift within the corridors of power. This neglect has had a devastating impact on the lives and livelihoods of our citizens.

“We condemn the lacuna in governance as needless and avoidable, and therefore call for an immediate refocus on matters that directly affect our state’s fortunes and the wellbeing of its people,” the group said.

Furthermore, the group said the powers vested in the legislature must be wielded with utmost consciousness of their representative capacity on behalf of the good people of Ondo State, rather than being exercised flimsily and on a whim.

“We further want to urge and impress on the Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly to consider that the speed, focus, and determination with which the impeachment agenda is being pursued could have been more effectively channeled toward addressing the genuine issues of governance, which would better serve the ambitions of our state and its people.

“We maintain that it is unproductive and anathema to the growth of Ondo State for those vested with political power to abandon the engineering of development in the state to pursue personal vendettas and scores.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that the good people of Ondo State are the wiser for it and will not give their imprimatur and legitimacy to actions that stem from sinister motives aimed at settling personal political scores to the detriment of the state and its people.

“We, therefore, caution against the re-tooling of the Ondo State House of Assembly as the enforcement arm of executive whims, and assert that any such actions will be fought and resisted by the people”, the group noted.

The group, therefore, demanded increased accountability in government and a return to prioritizing issues that have a direct impact on the state’s prosperity and the welfare of the people.

“We reiterate our call for the full and unadulterated respect of our constitution and the assurance that constitutional powers will not be bent to serve narrow interests within our state,” the group added.

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