Impeachment: Save Ondo From Crisis, Deputy Governor’s Kinsmen Write Gov Akeredolu’s Monarch

By Ayodele Oni

Ilaje, the kinsmen of the embattled Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has warned that a repeat of the 1983 political crisis in old Ondo state is imminent with the planned impeachment of the Deputy Governor.

In a letter to the Traditional Rulers of Owo, country home of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Olowo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, the Ilaje people urged the monarch to wade into the planned removal by the state assembly.

The letter reads : “Our decision to write to you, our royal Father and a revered Monarch in Yorubaland, is to the intent that appropriate reconciliatory actions might be taken before the ticking bomb is detonated with its consequent devastating destruction.

“Your Majesty may recall that when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was away on medical leave, the “cabal” held the Acting Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa and the entire governance architecture of the State by the jugular and by extension, held the entire State to ransome because of their inordinate ambitions.

“In all these, the Acting Governor remained unperturbed. But in a twist of event, we are surprised that the incurably baised legislators, who could not contemplate moving motion for the impeachment of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on account of his angling health challenges are now engulfed in this unparliamentary travesty that will soil their existence and memories even long after their passage from the earth.

“Their ill-motivated plot to impeach the Deputy Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa is an unpopular and unpatriotic venture which does not attract the blessing nor have the backing of the good people of Ondo State.”

The letter, signed by Prince olorungbonju Edamisan and Princess Iretiola Ademitigha adds “And it is rather unfortunate that selfish politicians are exploiting the health of Governor Akeredolu to create imaginary rift between him and his Deputy.

“We never wanted to read ethnic coloration or weave ethno-tribal sentiments around the matter until it began to crystalize to us that the impeachment is not just a war against Lucky Ayedatiwa but a pre-meditated vendetta against the entire Ilaje nation.

“It is part of a subtle ploy aimed at depriving us the opportunity of producing the next Governor of the State.

“Ilaje have served other governors from other parts of the State with utmost respect and unflinching loyalty, despite being the treasure mines that produce about 80% of the revenues from whence the state derive the economic wealth with which she cater for other sections of the Sunshine State to the exclusion of Ilaje local government where the revenues are being mainly generated.

“However, if Governor Akeredolu SAN fails to prevail on those who are exploiting the political atmosphere against the Deputy Governor, there would be no other interpretation read to the matter than to deduce that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration has declared war against Ilaje nation.

“And in response, we shall not hesitate to prove that we are not cowards that will run into hiding, as every appropriate actions will be taken to defend ourselves.

“As law abiding citizens, we believe in peaceful co-existence but not to the extent of having our fundamental human rights being violated as in the case of witnessing this gang-up against our brother and bonafide citizen of Ondo State, Lucky Ayedatiwa, in flagrant disregard for the cooperation that hitherto exists between the peoples of Owo and Ilaje.

“Your Majesty, the age-long cordial relationship and mutual understanding that have existed between the people of Owo and the people of Ilaje are currently being tried and tested in the furnace of affliction at the instance of this political brouhaha, and the historical memories these events would create is largely dependent on how it is being managed, resolved or otherwise escalated.

“The wealth of experience and sound wisdom that the great Olowo of Owo throne is renowned for assuage our fears, knowing that your prompt intervention and royal fatherly role will quickly extinguish the flames that have been ignited by these political undercurrents.”