Respite may have come the way of embattled deputy governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has ordered the state’s House of Assembly to suspend his impeachment.
A credible source in Ondo Government House confirmed the development to QUEST TIMES on Monday morning.
It will be recalled that the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Ganduje set up a nine-member to mediate in the conflict between the governor and his deputy. The committee headed by former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari, with Abbas Garba as secretary.
Our source said the committee is to talk to all those involved and determine whether the rift between Aiyedatiwa and his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu can be amicably resolved or the lawmakers can proceed with his impeachment.
Despite the intervention by the party, the lawmakers are making frantic moves to remove Aiyedatiwa, a situation that forced the APC leadership to read the riot act to them.
” The APC leadership really reprimanded the lawmakers. It told them in clear terms that they are not bigger than the party and they should respect the decisions taken by the national body. It told them that anyone who goes against the party’s directive may be punished for engaging in anti-party activities”.
A party leader in Ondo APC who spoke with our correspondent said the intervention by the party leadership may not save Aiyedatiwa as the governor and the first lady, Betty Akeredolu are solidly behind the moves by the lawmakers.
“The issue borders on alleged disloyalty. There is no way Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa can work together again. Even if the party should save him now, it is just a matter of time before he is kicked out. If Akeredolu really wants him to continue as deputy, the Assembly won’t be so hell-bent on removing him” he said.
While Akeredolu’s aides are accusing Aiyedatiwa of betrayal and wishing the governor ill luck during his medical treatment in Germany, loyalists of Aiyedatiwa claimed those plotting his removal are doing so because of the forthcoming Ondo governorship election.
” They see him as a threat. They believe if anything happens to the governor, he automatically succeeds him and that will give him an edge in the 2024 governorship election” a loyalist of Aiyedatiwa said.