In the wake of President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to address the political turmoil engulfing Ondo State, certain leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have maintained their stance, adamantly insisting that Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa should be designated as the acting governor.
The APC chieftains, operating under the banner of Ondo APC Progressives Stakeholders, convened in Akure over the weekend, emphasizing the imperative of adhering to constitutional provisions to navigate the political crisis.
President Tinubu had weighed in on the matter, advocating for the preservation of the status quo and urging Aiyedatiwa to persist in his role as the deputy governor.
Despite this influential endorsement, the Ondo APC stakeholders, following their Akure meeting, expressed reservations about the prolonged absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
They contended that this prolonged absence has deleteriously impacted the state’s governance and economy.
In a statement released after the meeting and jointly signed by Chairman Hon. Afe Olowookere, a former member of the House of Representatives, and Secretary Hon. Raman Rotimi, a former APC Secretary in the state, the urgent necessity of empowering Aiyedatiwa to assume the responsibilities of acting governor was underscored.
The statement asserted, “APC party members should be allowed to participate and determine those to be appointed or elected into political and party offices.
Elders and leaders of the party must be recognized and given their pride of place in the party, rather than being neglected and ostracized by the party. The system of writing the names of party executives and candidates without due process will be objected to and resisted with all political and legal means possible.”
This declaration indicates a persistent divergence of opinion within the Ondo APC, even in the face of influential directives.
The insistence on Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor reflects deeper fissures within the party, highlighting concerns not only about the immediate leadership vacuum but also broader issues of party governance and decision-making processes.
As Ondo State navigates this challenging political terrain, the conflicting positions of key stakeholders underscore the complexity of the situation.
The repercussions of this internal discord could extend beyond the immediate concerns of leadership succession, influencing the political landscape of the state and the APC’s dynamics.
In a broader context, the standoff raises questions about the adherence to party principles, constitutional processes, and the delicate balance between internal democracy and hierarchical directives within political organizations.
The coming days are likely to unfold with increased political tension and scrutiny as the Ondo APC contends with these intricate dynamics.
