PRESIDENT TINUBU RESOLVES ONDO STATE POLITICAL CRISIS: STATUS QUO WILL BE MAINTAINED
President Bola Tinubu, late on Friday, resolved the months-long crisis between loyalists of Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
This followed marathon talks in the State House, Abuja between the President and the Deputy Governor, representatives of Governor Akeredolu, federal and state lawmakers of Ondo, officials of the All Progressives’ Congress, and other stakeholders.
The President advised all opposing parties to bury the hatchet and embrace peace, eliciting commitments to this effect.
Under the agreement, Governor Akeredolu remains Chief Executive of the State, Aiyedatiwa remains Deputy Governor.
Members of the State Executive Council, the House of Assembly and the APC Chapter in Ondo State will remain in their posts.
Mr. Aiyedatiwa, who affirmed the decision to maintain the status quo and unite all the factions, said: “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.
“And I want to say that with no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it, and every other thing is in the past.
“It is one big family and our father has intervened to bring all the children together to remain under the same family and with the position that I occupy, I will carry every one of you along in every decision that needs to be taken and in everything that we do, we will work together; the executive and the legislature will work together to ensure that governance is on the right track.”
He pleaded with all members of the State Executive Council to rally around the Governor and himself to “bring the dividend of democracy” to the people of Ondo State.
“All the Executive Council members, I want to plead with all of you to cooperate with me, with the Governor, so that we can bring the dividend of democracy to our people.
“We should respect one another regarding the offices we occupy and our age differences. So, it’s going to be mutual respect.
“And I want to assure the party structure that we will work together because the party is supreme. We will always give you your due respect,” the Ondo State Deputy Governor pledged.
The Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide, who read the details of the resolution, said, “Our resolution is that one, we shall embrace peace. Secondly, there would be no more dissolution of the cabinet, and the Deputy Governor would maintain the status quo as far as the House of Assembly leadership is concerned.
“We will maintain the status quo as far as the party leadership in the state is concerned and maintain the status quo as far as the leadership of the State House of Assembly is concerned. Thank you, Mr. President.”
The Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, stated, “Our Father, the President, has taken the trouble to settle our rancour in Ondo State. We owe you all the gratitude, Sir. We will not disappoint you. We have taken every word you said. And we are going home as one united family under the party, APC.”
Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, expressed delight at the outcome of Friday’s late night deliberations, affirming that the party will remain a watchdog to ensure that the new commitments are adhered to.
“Today is my happiest moment. And I know sanity has come to Ondo State. So, on behalf of the teeming supporters of our party in the state, we appreciate our leader, Mr. President.
“PDP has crumbled in the state; virtually, they decamp every day. The only problem we have is the one you have solved for us today. And that problem has been resolved permanently,” Adetimehin stated.
November 25, 2022
Press Statement
PDP Celebrates, Extols Atiku Abubakar at 77
…Says His Love for Nigeria is Unwavering
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family rolls out the big drums in celebration of former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the PDP Presidential Candidate in the 2023 Presidential election, one of the founding fathers of our great Party and national Icon of Democracy, H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON (Wazirin Adamawa), as he marks his 77th birthday today.
Atiku Abubakar is a quintessence of humility, a kind-hearted, humane and people-focused leader; a forthright administrator and courageous statesman, who remains unwavering in his love and commitment towards Nigerians and the unity, stability and development of our dear nation.
Our Party remains proud of Atiku Abubakar’s record of performance in the service of our nation, especially in bringing his capacity and competence to bear as the Chairman of the National Economic Council under the Obasanjo/Atiku-led PDP administration between 1999 and 2007, which achieved unprecedented national productivity in all sectors and grew the economy to become one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
His role in the National Economic Council is always recognized and celebrated for helping the administration achieve vast infrastructural development, massive employment and business opportunities among other initiatives that made the PDP years in government the Nigerian Golden Years.
Nigerians across all persuations recognize Atiku Abubakar as the embodiment of our national unity and hope for economic recovery and they demonstrated this in their overwhelming support and massive vote for him in the 2019 and 2023 Presidential elections, which mandates were sadly subverted by suppressive and exploitative forces.
Atiku Abubakar is a lesson in leadership. Despite his towering personality, he remains humble, friendly and accessible to all, especially the youths. He continues to demonstrate that the essence of leadership is in attending to the good, happiness and wellbeing of others instead of oneself.
But for the subversion of his mandate, our nation would have been on the path of economic prosperity, massive infrastructural development and employment opportunities instead of the hardship, collapse of the Naira and general retrogression that we witness today in the country.
On this great day, the PDP family gives thanks to the Almighty Allah and prays to Him to grant Atiku Abubakar more wisdom, sound health and vigour in the service of our dear fatherland and humanity.
Congratulations and Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Signed:
Hon. Debo Ologunagba
National Publicity Secretary
Appeal Court verdict: A redemption deferred, says Omo-Agege
The former Deputy President of the Senate and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, has described today’s judgement of the Court of Appeal in the appeal he filed against Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as redemption deferred for Deltans.
While he deeply respects their Lordships, Senator Omo-Agege is convinced that the learned justices clearly misapprehended the reformed electoral jurisprudence that now prevails to deepen democracy in the country.
In a statement issued after the decision and signed by his Media Adviser, Mr. Sunny Areh, Obarisi Omo-Agege said he firmly believes that justice is yet to be given to the people of Delta State who voted for him and the APC.
“We will proceed to the Supreme Court. The issues at stake touch on the future and wellbeing of the people who voted for a New Delta. We have a duty to respect them by defending their faith in us with every sense of diligence and responsibility. We don’t waver on what is right.
“I am confident that the revered Justices of the Supreme Court will examine the areas overlooked at the Appeal Court and give justice to our people,” he said.
He appealed to his supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that the judiciary which “I have absolute confidence in will, at the final hurdle serve justice and redemption now deferred.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION, MY DEAR BIG BROTHER, OLOROGUN O’TEGA EMERHOR, OON
On behalf of my family and our good people, I send you warm greetings on this occasion of your birthday celebration. Your stabilizing and purpose-driven leadership, sterling life achievements and philanthropy have earned you a place of great pride amongst our people.
As founding leader and 2015 governorship candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, you have continued to show great wisdom and demonstrate immeasurable strength of character in providing balanced counsel for our collective greater good of all. Thank you, my dear brother.
As a chartered accountant with first-class academic credentials, a successful banker, an astute captain of industry and a seasoned politician, you bring great pride to all our people. By dint of exemplary personal discipline and extraordinary hard-work, you have become a notable national patriot. Our people are proud of you as a disciplined leader who makes visible contributions to the development of Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.
I must seize this moment to thank you for deploying the power of your positive selfless personal examples to shape our collective political interests as a true statesman. Thank you for your calm, trusted and purposeful leadership. Thank you for your sincere counsel and support as a big brother.
We pray to God for a long and healthy life, joy unspeakable and many more years of dedication to the service of our beloved people as we continue work together for the good of our people.
Happy birthday, our Urhukpe (Light).
SIGNED:
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, CFR
25th November, 2023.