In a startling turn of events, the Ondo State House of Assembly has initiated proceedings to oust Deputy Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The Assembly has accused Aiyedatiwa of engaging in acts of gross misconduct during his tenure as the acting governor.
During a recent plenary session presided over by Speaker Mr. Olamide Oladiji, the House directed its Clerk, Mr. Benjamin Jaiyeola, to formally communicate the allegations against Aiyedatiwa.
Nine out of 26 Members of the House have signed a petition detailing these allegations, which they read aloud during the plenary session.
The Deputy Governor’s situation has garnered significant attention since the return of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from a medical leave in Germany. Akeredolu’s swift actions upon his return have targeted those who allegedly sought political advantage during his absence.
Upon his return to Nigeria, Governor Akeredolu received a warm welcome from his family, friends, and political associates. However, not everyone was pleased with his comeback, especially among politicians within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.
Some politicians had reportedly strategized to exploit Akeredolu’s health condition to gain a foothold in the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election. They believed that the governor’s prolonged absence had left a power vacuum and assumed he would not return to office.
During Akeredolu’s medical treatment, political intrigues and power struggles reportedly unfolded within the Ondo APC. Allegations arose regarding the loyalty of the governor’s aides and associates. Some of his aides were accused of diverting their allegiance toward different political ambitions.
Notably, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who had served as the acting governor during Akeredolu’s absence, was allegedly among those aspiring to run in the 2024 governorship election. This political climate led to division and power plays within the state executive council, impacting the governance of the state.
Upon his return, Governor Akeredolu took action to address these issues, leading to the dismissal of some media aides affiliated with the deputy governor’s office. The affected aides were accused of engaging in disloyal activities on social media platforms while the governor was away.
Allegations of disloyalty and power struggles further escalated, with some groups questioning Aiyedatiwa’s loyalty to Governor Akeredolu. They claimed that Aiyedatiwa had displayed disloyalty on multiple occasions.
In response, Aiyedatiwa denied all allegations of disloyalty, asserting his unwavering loyalty to the governor. He attributed the accusations to political opponents seeking to tarnish his reputation.
The situation has left the Deputy Governor in a precarious position, with political dynamics in Ondo State becoming increasingly tumultuous. As the Assembly’s move to remove Aiyedatiwa unfolds, the question of whether he will be impeached looms large, adding a new layer of controversy to the state’s political landscape. Follow Federal Character News for updates on this developing story.
