The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State took another dimension as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is seeking a replacement for the National Assembly members representing different constituencies of the state.
The majority of the lawmakers were absent during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state just as many of them were conspicuously absent during the first anniversary of the administration of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
A source close to the government said Aiyedatiwa has allegedly reported the lawmakers to President Bola Ahmed even as he seeks presidential “understanding” to find replacements for the nine members of the House of Representatives. As well as two senators as the APC nominations inch closer.
According to the source, Governor Aiyedatiwa was said to have said that the nine lawmakers in the lower chamber and two senators were unelectable.
It was gathered that Aiyedatiwa met President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa last Thursday, and reportedly told the President that none of the federal lawmakers from the state should be allowed to return to the National Assembly, claiming they were “no longer popular.”
The source disclosed that the governor who was summoned to Abuja by the President following violence that erupted before and during the party’s ward congress in Idanre, where two individuals were killed was said to have taken the opportunity to nail the political coffins of the lawmakers.
His words “Yes it is true that the governor was in the Villa but it was not in the context of the summons that those noise makers put it. You should know that the president has at his disposal all manner of security reports.
“But what these guys don’t know is that the governor had a father-son discussion with the president and he used the opportunity to nail their political coffin; he explained to the president that all the lawmakers were unelectable because they have lost touch with the grassroots as they don’t go home at all.
“There is nothing like having a clean slate as we approach 2027 because this is a new road ahead election; those guys were foisted on the state by the late Governor, Aketi and now we have a new governor. So why don’t they give way to fresh hands who understand the current governor and his mission?
“We are awaiting positive feedback on this exciting development because all must be on one page to re-elect the president in 2027. So we are happy with what the president has been told about those puppets that were imposed by Aketi.”
The Governor had openly declared at the APC stakeholders meeting that he had not endorsed, approved, or promised any aspirant the party’s ticket for either the State or National Assembly elections. This is just as he denied making moves to stop any incumbent lawmaker from returning to parliament.
The governor, who also said at the meeting that it had become necessary to clarify his position amid widespread political insinuations ahead of the party primaries, warned APC members against rumours, assumptions, and falsehoods capable of creating divisions within the party.
The nine members of the House of Representatives from the state, who are APC members, reportedly met the governor at the Government House in Alagbaka, Akure. According to a source, they informed him of their intention to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers at the meeting were Hon. Abiodun Derin Adesida (Akure South/Akure North); Hon. Abiola Makinde (Ondo East/Ondo West); Hon. Timehin Adelegbe (Owo/Ose); Hon. Gboyega Adefarati (Akoko South West/Akoko South-East); Hon. Ife Ehindero (Akoko North-East/Akoko North-West); Hon. Festus Akingbaso (Idanre/Ifedore); Hon. Festus Adefiranye (Ileoluji-Okeigbo/Odigbo); Hon. Donald Ojogo (Ilaje/Ese-Odo); and Hon. Jimi Odimayo (Okitipupa/Irele).
Also present were the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu; APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Hon. Isaac Kekemeke; Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac; Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative and Party Affairs, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole; and APC chieftain, Prince Ademola Adegoroye.
However, the lawmaker representing Ilajes/ Ese-Odo federal constituency, Donald Ojogo said the lawmakers were unaware of such a meeting where the governor told the president such stories.
His words “Honestly we don’t know.
But I can say for free; that is the opinion of whoever is spewing such and not the view and position of the governor with whom we have a good relationship.
“Those telling you such stories are purveyors of mischief and misinformation and their aim is to drive a wedge in between Mr. Governor and federal lawmakers. Ignore these opportunists who stumbled from nowhere to corridors of power.”
