Ondo: Let’s build shared future from divided past — Ayedatiwa

The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, has called on political actors in the state to forget the political crisis by building a shared future from a divided past.

Ayedatiwa also pleaded with the people of the state to quickly return to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded it in the past few months of political crisis.

The Ondo Acting governor stated this in a statewide broadcast to the people of the state after his assumption of office, saying, “We must return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the State in the last few months.

“We must excuse unnecessary distractions. We can no longer be separated in interest or divided in purpose.

“We must stand together until the end. We must come back stronger and more determined to advance the welfare and security of our people, being the primary object of government as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

“Let us build a shared future from a divided past. We owe no less to the good people of the Sunshine State.

“Bearing in mind that the very huge responsibility of governance, I must emphasize that the task is indeed not one that one individual can accomplish alone.

“It is a gigantic task that requires inclusive engagement, focus, and collective actions from both the government and the governed.

“We, therefore, implore you all across the State, young and old, to contribute your utmost commitment, cooperation, and support towards advancing the State in our development trajectory.

“Yesterday is already behind us. This is the time to carry aloft, with love and affection for one another, the laudable vision and mission of the Governor for the State.

He admitted that the intrigues that ensued due to Akeredolu’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions, saying, “Only God Almighty has explanations for what happened in the last few months.

“When nature sets in to hinder human performance, it is always a painful thing. We must acknowledge that the key to the well-being of a man is in the hands of God. It is not for us as humans to question God but to pray for His mercies upon our lives.

“It is in this regard that we admit with all sense of responsibility that the intrigues that ensued due to Mr. Governor’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions.

“We ought to have done better so as to keep giving Ondo State the seamless and solid governance which Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu had established in the State in the last six-and-a-half years.

“As a government, we must appreciate the sovereignty of the people that voted us into office and we regret in no unmistakable terms the toll which this whole episode had inflicted on the psyche of the People and the development of the State.

“Despite all these, my dear people, I come to you today, to urge you all not to relent, as you have always done, in your prayers for the quick restoration of good health and strength to our leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu.”

He, however, said, “I appeal to every member of the Government of Ondo state for your genuine support, cooperation, and dedication.

“We need a renewed unity to berth the significant and accelerated development clearly envisioned and vigorously pursued by Mr. Governor.

“My good people of Ondo state, what happened in the past was a temporary delay in our democratic journey. As a government, we have recovered.”