Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has revealed that President Bola Tinubu played a crucial role in halting an alleged impeachment plot against him during the political crisis that rocked the state in 2023.
Aiyedatiwa made the disclosure on Friday night during a press briefing with selected journalists at the Government House in Akure and monitored live by the Nation. The governor reflected on the “tense political” atmosphere that followed the illness and eventual death of his principal, the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
He noted that there were strong political moves to remove him from office while he was serving as deputy governor.
According to him, all the 26 members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, led by the current Speaker, Rt (Hon.) Olamide Oladiji, signed the impeachment notice against him.
The governor, however, noted that the timely intervention of President Tinubu helped calm tensions and prevented the move from succeeding.
“Politics is about interests and there are always diverse interests being pursued by different groups. When I was about to be impeached as the deputy governor to late Akeredolu, the party was divided because people were pushing different agendas.
“My late principal (Akeredolu) had openly endorsed me from the very beginning. On the day of our inauguration, he made it clear that I would move up from being deputy governor.
“He also reiterated this position within the executive council that I was the anointed expected to succeed him,” Aiyedatiwa said.
He explained that the endorsement triggered political resistance from some actors, especially within the cabinet of the former administration, who were also interested in the governorship position.
“The 26 Assembly members signed my impeachment notice. All of them. But I survived it eventually with the intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“I want to use this opportunity to thank him (President Tinubu) for being a good leader to our country. He intervened at that time and we were able to put the house in order,” he added.
Aiyedatiwa said the crisis created deep uncertainty within the political leadership of the state, but the president’s involvement helped restore stability.
The governor noted that he eventually assumed office as governor in December 2023 following the death of Akeredolu after a prolonged illness.
He, however, added that the experience strengthened his resolve to focus on governance and delivering democratic dividends to the people of the state.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
