The Ondo State acting Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday, called on the people of the state and all stakeholders to join him in carrying out the vision of his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, to move the state forward.
According to PUNCH reports, Aiyedatiwa, again, stepped in on Wednesday as acting governor after Akeredolu wrote to inform the state House of Assembly that he was returning to Germany for a follow-up on his medical treatment.
The ailing governor first went to Germany to seek medical treatment in June and returned in September. During the three months that he was away, his deputy operated as acting governor.
But on Akeredolu’s return in September, evidence of a crack in the relationship between him and his deputy emerged after he sacked all his deputy’s media aides and the Assembly moved to impeach Aiyedatiwa for alleged gross misconduct he was accused of committing while operating as acting governor.
The crisis became a legal matter and both the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress and President Bola Tinubu had to wade in by inviting stakeholders to Abuja twice for meetings.
On Thursday, Aiyedatiwa, for the second time, took office as acting governor.
In a statewide broadcast, on Thursday, Aiyedatiwa admitted that the political crisis that had engulfed the state in recent times had indeed challenged the love for the state and democracy, urging everyone to forget the past, come together and join hands with him to develop the state.
He said, “Yesterday is already behind us. This is the time to carry aloft, with love and affection for one another, the laudable vision and mission of the governor for the state. I appeal to every member of the Government of Ondo State for your genuine support, cooperation and dedication.
“We need a renewed unity to berth the significant and accelerated development clearly envisioned and vigorously pursued by Mr Governor.
“My good people of Ondo State, what happened in the past was a temporary delay in our democratic journey. As a government, we have recovered.”
According to him, the political crisis which lingered for some months delayed the progress of the state and affected the people, hence, the need for all stakeholders to come together to work for the people.
“Also of paramount importance is the expectation of our people that we continue to deliver on the mandate given to Mr Governor and my humble self. We must return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the state in the last few months. We must excuse unnecessary distractions.
“We can no longer be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We must stand together until the end. We must come back stronger and more determined to advance the welfare and security of our people, being the primary objective of government as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.”
Aiyedatiwa lauded President Tinubu, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and other stakeholders at the state and the national level for their intervention in resolving the crisis.