Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, says the aborted impeachment process against him by the state assembly and other intrigues following the health challenges of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu were “avoidable distractions”.
Aiyedatiwa stated this on Thursday morning during a state broadcast on the assumption of office as the acting governor of the state following the transmission of power to him by his principal who is on medical leave and the ratification of the move by the state assembly.
The acting governor said, “At this juncture, permit me to say that only God Almighty has explanations for what happened in the last few months.
“When nature sets in to hinder human performance, it is always a painful thing. We must acknowledge that the key to the well-being of a man is in the hands of God. It is not for us as humans to question God but to pray for His mercies upon our lives.
“It is in this regard that we admit with all sense of responsibility that the intrigues that ensued due to Mr Governor’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions.
“We ought to have done better to keep giving Ondo State the seamless and solid governance which Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON, had established in the State in the last six-and-a-half years.”
Aiyedatiwa called on the people of the state to embrace unity even as they return the state to the path of “accelerated progress”.
The acting governor urged the people of the South-West state “not to relent, as you have always done, in your prayers for the quick restoration of good health and strength to our leader” Rotimi Akeredolu.
He urged the people of the state to “return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the State in the last few months”.
Aiyedatiwa said, “We must excuse unnecessary distractions. We can no longer be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We must stand together until the end.
“We must come back stronger and more determined to advance the welfare and security of our people, being the primary object of government as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Let us build a shared future from a divided past. We owe no less to the good people of the Sunshine State.”.
He also expressed appreciation to the President and other chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for “providing succor to Ondo State at our critical time of cloud and need”.
