In a day marked by the presence of four South-West governors visiting Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, a dramatic incident unfolded in the Ondo State capital. A planned protest by the Ondo Liberation Initiative concerning the continued absence of the governor was thwarted by over 200 commercial motorcycle operators. Simultaneously, another youth group accused the protest of aiming to disrupt the existing peace in the state.
Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Engr. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Mr. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti demonstrated their solidarity by visiting Akeredolu, who also serves as the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, in Ibadan, Oyo State. Notably, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State was absent from the meeting.
Although the meeting remained behind closed doors, it is widely believed that the visit was at the behest of President Bola Tinubu. According to sources, the President tasked the four governors with gathering first-hand information about Akeredolu’s health status.
The protest, organized by the Ondo Liberation Initiative, focused on concerns regarding the governor’s health. The group believes that Akeredolu has been secluded from quality healthcare abroad due to undisclosed reasons. They emphasized that the governor, as a public officer, should have access to appropriate healthcare and urged his rescue for better medical care.
Conversely, a group of youths under the banner of Ondo Youth and Masses Conscience accused the protest of attempting to disrupt the state’s peace. They criticized the use of the slogan “Jara e gba” as misleading and undermining the efforts of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Deputy Governor Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa distanced himself from any endorsement of the planned protest against the governor’s absence. He affirmed his loyalty to Governor Akeredolu and called for the security operatives in the state to maintain peace.
In another development, Aiyedatiwa urged the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to disregard the request of the Assembly to constitute a seven-man panel of investigators to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him. Aiyedatiwa argued that the orders of injunction granted by the Federal High Court in Abuja were still valid and in force. He requested the Chief Judge to ignore the Assembly’s claim that the orders had expired, emphasizing that the Assembly’s actions were based on misconceptions and undue desperation.
While the political situation in Ondo State continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these recent developments will impact the state’s governance and stability.
Source: [Vanguard]
