President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of the police from the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly in Akure, the state capital. This directive came during a crucial meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday night, involving the embattled Ondo Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, state lawmakers, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The decision to withdraw the police was one of several resolutions reached after almost six hours of intense deliberations aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state. The deployment of police to the Ondo Assembly premises had followed the service of an impeachment notice to Aiyedatiwa by lawmakers, alleging gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Aiyedatiwa had challenged the impeachment in court and later issued an apology to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, seeking forgiveness for his actions. Meanwhile, the prolonged absence of Governor Akeredolu, who recently returned from a medical vacation abroad, added to the tensions in the state. Supporters of Aiyedatiwa had threatened protests, demanding either the governor’s return or the declaration of Aiyedatiwa as acting governor.
The crisis escalated when lawmakers loyal to the deputy governor sought to elevate him to the position of acting governor. Amidst these developments, notable figures, including the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and local traditional rulers, appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and prevent a constitutional crisis.
In response to these appeals, President Tinubu summoned Aiyedatiwa, state lawmakers, the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin, and other party leaders to Abuja for discussions. The meeting sought to find a resolution to the political impasse and restore stability to the Ondo State political landscape. The withdrawal of police from the Assembly premises is seen as a significant step towards de-escalating tensions and fostering a conducive environment for dialogue and resolution.
