The All Progressives Congress lawmakers in the House of Representatives, loyal to the late Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, have called on President Bola Tinubu to caution the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for alleged disrespect for his late principal.
Aiyedatiwa’s emergence as governor of the state followed the demise of Akeredolu on December 27, 2023.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu and signed by six lawmakers comprising Adesida Abiodun (Akure North/South), Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose), Festus Ayodele (Ileoluji- Okeigbo/Odigbo), Ojogo Kimikanboh(Ilaje/ Ese- Odo), Odimayo John (Okitipupa/Irele) and Adegboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/ South East) Federal Constituencies, the lawmakers warned of dire consequences for the APC if Governor Aiyedatiwa does not retrace his steps.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, leader of the caucus, Adesida called on Tinubu to wade into the matter and save the face of the ruling party, particularly with the governorship election due in September.
He accused Aiyedatiwa of making official decisions that gave him away as a man with little or no respect for the legacies left behind by the late Akeredolu.
He also accused the governor of hobnobbing with known political enemies of Akeredolu, adding that the person appointed as Deputy Governor meted out a lot of pain to the former Governor.
Adesida said, “The Deputy Governor appointed by Mr Aiyedatiwa is a well-known political adversary of the late Governor. Despite hailing from Owo, they never saw eye to eye during the late Governor’s lifetime. Olajide Adelami caused a great deal of trouble for the late Akeredolu during his bid for re-election in 2020 to which you were committed.
“Furthermore, it has become common knowledge in the state that Mr Aiyedatiwa has aligned himself with every disgruntled and established political enemy of the late Akeredolu. As an example, the appointment of Barrister Kola Olawoye, a suspended APC member and former Attorney General of the state, as Aiyedatiwa’s campaign coordinator in Owo has been widely condemned by loyal party members, particularly in Owo.”