Aiyedatiwa exhibiting disdain for Akeredolu, eager to erase his legacy – APC Caucus

The Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, accusing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of creating a crisis in the party in the state.

Governor Aiyedatiwa was equally accused of exhibiting disdain for his predecessor, late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and eager to erase his legacy.

The letter to President Tinubu was signed by six lawmakers — Adesida Abiodun Cornelius (Akure North/South); Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose); Festus Ayodele (Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo); Ojogo Donald (Ilaje/Ese-Odo); Odimayo Okunjimi (Okitipupa/Irele); and Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/South East).

The leader of the Caucus, Adesida while explaining the intent of the letter at a news conference, appealed to President Tinubu to intervene by “calling the governor to order before he ignites a crisis that would cost the party the forthcoming 2024 governorship poll in the state.”

The lawmakers explained that since his swearing-in, Governor Aiyedatiwa had made decisions that indicated his animosity towards the late Akeredolu as well as lack of concern for the party’s growth in the state.

They accused the governor of associating with arch political enemies of his late predecessor and even hobnobbing with the opposition party in the state.

“The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr. Aiyedatiwa is a well-known political adversary of the late Governor. Despite hailing from Owo, they never saw eye to eye during the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami caused a great deal of trouble for the late Akeredolu during his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you were committed.

“Furthermore, it has become common knowledge in the state that Mr. Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with every disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. As an example, the appointment of Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Attorney General of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s campaign coordinator in Owo has been widely condemned by loyal party members, particularly in Owo,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers also informed President Tinubu that recent events have revealed Governor Aiyedatiwa’s apparent eagerness to erase the legacy of the late Akeredolu and had been assuming credit for the successes and achievements of the deceased.

According to them, the announcement of the payment of N35,000 palliative allowance for civil servants and the settlement of January 2017 salary arrears, which were previously approved by the late Governor Akeredolu, were erroneously presented as early actions taken by Governor Aiyedatiwa.

The lawmakers said Governor Aiyedatiwa proceeded to dissolve the entire local government structure, including chairmen, councillors and all government aides and appointees.

They noted that it was a deliberate move at erasing the footprints of late Governor Akeredolu and also leading the party in the state to a disarray.

“Mr. President, the Governor has created a significant divide and caused discord among party members. Currently, the party’s state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, is being marginalised and sidelined.

“To make matters worse, Mr Aiyedatiwa has resorted to sending his proxies to warn the chairman and pressure him into resigning. It is a bad situation, sir.

“There is a growing divide within our party; and it is occasioned by the seed of enmity sown by Governor Aiyedatiwa. Those who were once loyal to Akeredolu have been sidelined, while individuals from the opposition who aligned with Mr. Aiyedatiwa in the fight against the late Akeredolu, demanding that he relinquished power to Aiyedatiwa when he was sick, now hold significant positions within the government and party,” the federal lawmakers stated.

They disclosed that their primary concern is to prevent Ondo State from falling into the hands of the opposition due to internal conflict, stressing the urgent need for decisive and unifying leadership in this trying period of the party.

“The decision made by Aiyedatiwa to dissolve the Ondo State Executive Council has raised concerns and is being criticised as ill-conceived, imprudent, and misguided on multiple fronts.

“One of the main criticisms is the perceived rush behind the decision. Many questioned why the Governor couldn’t wait until the final burial of Akeredolu before taking such a drastic step.

“It is our hope that Ondo, the Sunshine state, will be saved from further turmoil, and that the APC’s influence in the state will not wane. As representatives of the good people of Ondo State in the National Assembly, we pray that your Presidency will be guided by divine wisdom, resulting in remarkable development, peace, prosperity and renewed hope for all Nigerians,” the lawmakers said.

Mr Alex Kalejaiye, the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, in his reaction, noted that there were misgivings which were raised in a meeting with the governor.

Kalejaiye explained that all the issues raised at the meeting had been resolved and the governor promised to address them.
Efforts to get the reactions of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, were unsuccessful.