The Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has declared that his predecessor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, endorsed him as his successor, before the later’s death in December 2023 separate them.
He died of cancer at age 67, while Aiyedatiwa — his former deputy, narrowly escaped being impeached shortly after the Governor returned from his medical leave in September, was sworn-in as the Governor after he took a 21-day medical vacation on the 13th of December 2023.
But the intervention of a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja, stalled Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment by the State House of Assembly.
Aiyedatiwa spoke during APC Mega rally at the Democracy Park in Akure, Ondo State Capital, ahead of Ondo State governorship election billed for Saturday November 16.
He also revealed that Akeredolu would have back his election bid and campaign with him and ensure that his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) does not return to opposition if his predecessor was alive.
The Governor said, “He (Akeredolu) spoke by the spirit of God and he declared to the whole world that I will be the one to succeed him. Though we did not plan it that it will be in death, but God knows better”.
“There was a man God used at a time to choose me as his deputy. And I was loyal all through unto him to the end. He even came out, moved by what he saw about the future and he spoke on that day of our inauguration — on the 24th of February 2021.
“He (Akeredolu) spoke by the spirit of God and he declared to the whole world that I will be the one to succeed him. Though we did not plan it that it will be in death, but God knows better.
“Today, I am his successor, but he is no more. I want us to maintain a one minute silence for him, Arakunri Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, CON, SAN. If he is alive today, he will be sitting here backing me up physically to ensure that Ondo State remains APC State.
“And I know that is exactly what is going to happen because you know what we have done since 2017 when APC took over power in Ondo State”, he said.
The Governor who is seeking re-election, stated that since he assume office since the last 10 months as Governor, the State has recorded great strides.
TheNewspad recalls that Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa became miles apart as Akeredolu, kept Aiyedatiwa at arms length since he returned from medical vacation in Germany.
Aiyedatiwa only saw Akeredolu twice this year. Akeredolu was said to have felt betrayed by his Deputy for plotting to take power when he was not yet pronounced dead.
Aiyedatiwa, according to sources, held meetings with some cabinet members and promised them several positions in return for support their support to emerge as substantive Governor.
Some Governors also called Akeredolu to inform him about moves by his Deputy and declared him not loyal.
Few days after Akeredolu returned to Nigeria, the Ondo State House of Assembly began impeachment move against Aiyedatiwa.
The Assembly raised 14 allegations of gross misconduct against Aiyedatiwa. Among the allegations were that Aiyedatiwa corruptly enriched himself and wasted government fund.
The incumbent Governor was then accused of engaging in Press releases and interviews with some media outlets wherein false allegations were levied against the Governor about his health.
During his first term, Agboola Ajayi, who served as Deputy to Akeredolu, was too in a hurry to succeed his boss.
It was when Akeredolu travelled for medical treatment that Agboola moved to a
lobby the Assembly to declare him Acting Governor.
The move failed as words got to Akeredolu who quickly mobilised to stop Agboola.
Akeredolu’s move to impeach Agboola failed because of some lawmakers who were loyal to the former Deputy Governor.
He found himself in the same scenario as Agboola. He could not secure the support of Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa and Special Adviser on Union Matters, Dare Airegbaiye.
Aiyedatiwa was also said to have lacked the political finesse and structure of Agboola at that time.
It is a ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja that has stalled the impeachment move.
However, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, offered to use political solution to settle the feud and return peace to the State.
It set up a Committee headed by a former Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Masari. Part of the solution was for Aiyedatiwa to withdraw all cases he filed to stall the impeachment as well as apologise to Governor Akeredolu.
The impeachment move appeared to be taking a new turn as the Youth Wing of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party launched the ‘Resume or Resign’ protest against Governor Akeredolu.
The group had issued a seven-day ultimatum for Governor Akeredolu to resume in Akure and urged the State House of Assembly to invoke relevant sections of the Constitution to determine the health status of the ailing Governor of Ondo State.
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