In a significant turn of events, top officials of the Ondo State Government have commenced the implementation of a peace deal brokered last week in Abuja by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The accord, aimed at fostering harmony, was embraced during a meeting of the State Executive Council at the Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital.
For the first time in three months, key figures, including the Secretary to the Government, commissioners, special advisers, and other aides of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, gathered for an executive council meeting.
Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, serving as the vice-chairman of the state executive council, presided over the session.
The House of Assembly, led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji, also took steps towards reconciliation by withdrawing its matter before the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
This withdrawal pertains to interim orders issued by the Federal High Court, restraining them from proceeding with the impeachment of the deputy governor.
The appeal also contested the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the suit filed by Aiyedatiwa seeking to halt the impeachment process.
The withdrawal of the appeal came after a political solution was found, and an armistice was signed by the involved parties. Remi Olatubora (SAN), the lawyer representing the House of Assembly and the Speaker, applied for the withdrawal, citing the enforcement of their part of the armistice.
Olatubora expressed the expectation that Aiyedatiwa would also withdraw his cases from court.
The Ondo State government, in response to recent online allegations, denied any attempts to forge Governor Akeredolu’s signature for ulterior motives.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, clarified that the governor still attends to official files and that the authenticity of signatures could be determined by forensic experts.
During the executive council meeting, the resolutions from the Abuja peace meeting were discussed and adopted.
Key decisions included the suspension of impeachment proceedings against the deputy governor, withdrawal of court cases by Aiyedatiwa, and the maintenance of the status quo in various aspects of state affairs.
The deputy governor, while conducting duties, is expected to submit a letter of resignation, and loyalty and unity within the party and government structures are emphasized.
Additionally, the council approved a N35,000 wage award for civil servants in the state and discussed the allocation of palliatives to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.
Commissioner Ademola-Olateju urged the public to disregard fake news and expressed the council’s commitment to the progress of Ondo State.
As the state moves forward with unity and reconciliation, the resolution of political differences and the commitment to shared goals mark a positive step towards governance stability and cooperation in Ondo State.
