Acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has described the recent political logjam in the state as avoidable and painful.
Aiyedatiwa, who also blamed the crisis on nature, said that he “admit with all sense of responsibility that the intrigues that ensued due to Mr Governor’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions.”
The acting governor stated this at a live broadcast in his office, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, on Thursday.
Addressing the people of the state, Aiyedatiwa 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.”
The acting governor who further stated that the people of the state are highly expectant and the administration must start working towards the development of the state, said: “Also of paramount importance is the expectation of our people that we continue to deliver on the mandate given to Mr. Governor and my humble self.
According to him, we must return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the State in the last few months.
His words: “As a government, we must appreciate the sovereignty of the people that voted us into office and we regret in no unmistakable terms the toll which this whole episode had inflicted on the psyche of the People and the development of the State.
“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.
Bearing in mind the huge responsibility of governance, I must emphasise that the task is indeed not one that one individual can accomplish alone.
“It is a gigantic task that requires inclusive engagement, focus, and collective actions from both the government and the governed.
“We, therefore, implore you all across the State, young and old, to contribute your utmost commitment, cooperation, and support towards advancing the State in our development trajectory.”
While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Intervention in putting the state on the right footing, Aiyedatiwa also acknowledged the roles played by some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the country in resolving the avoidable crisis.
The acting governor said: “May I on this note express our deep appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Senate President His Excellency Godwin Akpabio, the National Chairman of our Party APC, His Excellency Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and other top national officials of the Party for providing succour to Ondo State at our critical time of cloud and need.”
He, therefore, appealed to the people of the state not to relent in their prayer for Governor Akeredolu to recover quickly.
Aiyedatiwa said: “My dear people, I come to you today, to urge you all not to relent, as you have always done, in your prayers for the quick restoration of good health and strength to our leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”
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