Ondo State Governor Returns Amidst Impeachment Plot by Deputy and Assembly Members

In a startling turn of events, the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has abruptly cut short his three-month medical leave in Germany and returned to Nigeria. Reports suggest that his decision was triggered by an alleged plot hatched by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and certain members of the State House of Assembly to impeach him.

Despite being cleared by doctors in Germany, there were strong indications that some political gladiators in the state were pressuring the Ondo State House of Assembly to declare Akeredolu medically unfit to continue his duties as the chief executive of the state. This seemed to be the impetus behind Akeredolu's decision to terminate his medical leave and return home.

Ever since his return, the Governor has held consultative meetings with stakeholders from the state and political associates in Ibadan, the capital of neighboring Oyo State. During these meetings, open accusations were leveled by Akeredolu's family members and associates against Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa and his allies, accusing them of plotting to oust the Governor from office and acting disloyal during his medical travails.

Additionally, certain members of the cabinet, who had aligned themselves with Aiyedatiwa in anticipation of Akeredolu's extended absence, now find themselves gripped with fear over the possibility of losing their positions.

Insiders have revealed that friction between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa became apparent when the Deputy Governor received a chilly reception during his visit to his boss in Ibadan on Friday. While Aiyedatiwa was permitted to attend a meeting with the Governor and members of the cabinet and House of Assembly, he was excluded from other important gatherings involving various stakeholders such as members of the National Assembly, board chairpersons, parastatals, women's groups, and youth organizations.

A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared, "The Governor had to return home hurriedly on Thursday when faced with the possibility of being impeached by the State House of Assembly. His family members and political associates exerted pressure on him to return immediately, even if he planned to go back to Germany at a later date.

"The way Deputy Governor's camp was operating, it seemed that the Governor was going to be eased out on the grounds of being medically incapacitated to continue his elected duties. There was mounting pressure on the House of Assembly to impeach Akeredolu and direct the Chief Judge of the state to promptly swear in the deputy governor as the substantive Governor.

"However, the Governor's unexpected return on Thursday disrupted these plans. The deputy governor's camp was taken aback by the Governor's arrival."

Describing the isolation experienced by the Deputy Governor before he left Ibadan on Friday, another reliable source revealed, "Aiyedatiwa moved from one table to another, trying to reduce the mounting pressure, as people were hesitant to associate and engage in discussions with him.

"During the Governor's separate meetings with stakeholders, the deputy governor was left in the outskirts, roaming around. Even when the Governor's wife arrived to greet the attendees, she avoided him.

"Interestingly, more than 70 percent of members had already pledged their loyalty to him while rumors of the Governor's incapacitation were circulating.

"The deputy governor had initiated regular weekly meetings with loyal cabinet members, who also rallied influential party leaders to wage a war against the pro-Akeredolu faction within the government.

"One of the main agendas of the deputy governor's group was to engage APC leaders in Abuja and put pressure on the State Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity by declaring Akeredolu unfit."

As the political drama unfolds in Ondo State, the power struggle and looming impeachment threat have brought the government to a standstill. The face-off between Governor Akeredolu and Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa highlights a deepening rift within the ruling party and could have far-reaching implications not just for Ondo State but also for the country's political landscape.

Source of content: OOO News 2023-09-11 News

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