President Bola Tinubu has waded into the Ondo State crisis and the political war between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Sources squealed to us that the President has invited the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji and members of the assembly to Abuja for a crucial meeting on Friday, November 24th, 2023.
Sources said the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin and other state leaders of the party were also invited to the meeting, including the National Assembly members representing the state.
According to a source: “The state House of Assembly members have been divided. 11 have crossed over to the side of Aiyedatiwa. They’ve been wooed by some forces in Abuja.”
“They planned a sitting for Friday, with the intention to declare Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor. But the President’s invitation stopped the plan.”
Ondo Speaker, Oladiji said: “The scheduled Friday’s plenary was to declare Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor and not to declare Akeredolu as incapacitated.”
“The meeting with President Tinubu would be held today.”
An insider said: “The lawmakers are ready to meet on Friday. One of the agenda of the sitting is the declaration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor.”
“Though some of us may not be at the plenary today because they are not in support of Aiyedatiwa becoming an acting governor, the national leadership of the APC knows about our decision. We may declare Aiyedatiwa acting governor today.”
However, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Olatunji Oshati said:
“What I can tell you for now is that there is something like that. Not to declare Aiyedatiwa but the House is going to sit on the matter and review the political situation today as directed by our national leaders.”
“The House will likely make the declaration. But not under must. I don’t want to preempt what the outcome of the meeting would be. If it is likely to happen, you are invited as well.”