The acting Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, dismissed insinuations that there is rancour or division in the cabinet of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, owing to the governor’s ill health.
Aiyedatiwa, who has stepped in as acting governor following Akeredolu’s letter on Tuesday notifying the state Assembly he was proceeding on a 21-day medical leave abroad, said he would be building on the foundation laid by his boss.
A statement on Wednesday quoted the acting governor as warning politicians in the state against heating up the polity, particularly as the state looks forward to another governorship election next year.
The statement read in part, “I note the concerns of our people about governance in Ondo State and all rumours and insinuations making the rounds in the state. Let me aver, without mincing words, that rumours about the disruption of government activities are misplaced and only arose as a result of impatience and lack of proper understanding of the running of the machinery of government.
“In any case, such misrepresentations and apparently baseless allusions are to be expected when political gladiators by their activities in the build-up to party primaries and governorship elections in any state try to heat up the polity. Ondo State cannot definitely be an exception.
“It is, therefore, important to assure our people that governance is on course in the state. Mr Governor has laid a solid foundation for one administration in the state and there is, undoubtedly, no politically debilitating division in the government.”
Aiyedatiwa, who described Akeredolu as a revered democrat who has always demonstrated his respect for the rule of law and the country’s constitution, said the governor “has always transmitted power to the deputy governor whenever he proceeds on annual vacation.”
“This is what he has again re-enacted by transmitting power to proceed on a medical vacation.
“We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine State not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery, so that he can resume duty after his medical vacation, to continue with his good works for the betterment of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria at large.
“I cannot but enjoin the political class to be guided by good conscience in the pursuit of ambition in order to sustain the atmosphere of peace and unfettered development that we have been witnessing in our dear state in the last six years,” the acting governor said.
The acting governor also said he woul ensure a good working relationship with the newly inaugurated 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, in a bid to move the state forward.
