EXCLUSIVE: How President Tinubu resolved Ondo political crisis

Fresh facts have emerged of how President Bola Tinubu resolved the political and leadership crisis which has rocked Ondo State for the past five months.

President Tinubu met with political stakeholders in the state yesterday, asking all of them to sheathe their swords and allow for peace in the state.

Among those at the meeting included Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu; members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje and the Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin.

Also present at the meeting were the three senators from the state, Jimoh Ibrahim; Niyi Adegbomire and Jide Ipinsagba and the members of the House of Representative from the APC.

A source who was at the meeting who spoke to WesternPost on the condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorised to speak to the press, said that the president calmed the nerves of all the warring parties, making them understand that the interest of the state should be priority.

“The president was unequivocal in his appeal to everyone to ensure that the issue at hand does not affect the state,” the source said.

He also added that the president ensured that the interests of everyone were considered, most especially Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who was unable to attend the meeting.

He said, “The president directed suspension of the impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa by the assembly and that he should be appointed as acting governor immediately. This was after the president had secured commitments from Aiyedatiwa to ensure that even while sick, Akeredolu’s interest and his family is taken care of.

“President Tinubu was interested in Akeredolu not losing out, because he didn’t want to make it look like he was abandoned due to his vulnerability.”

He added that the president took into account that Governor Akeredolu was loyal to him and was one of the governors that pushed for his presidency when forces within the party were against him.

The first lady Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu and her son Babajide Akeredolu who are alleged to be players in the crisis were not part of the meeting.

Aiyedatiwa was also encouraged to include members of the cabinet.