Akeredolu-Aiyedatiwa Rift: Tinubu-brokered truce ‘mere window-dressing’ – PDP
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Friday intervention in the Ondo State political crisis, was on Saturday described as “mere window-dressing”. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State gave this description in reaction to Tinibu’s move to settle the conflict.
On Friday night, Tinubu waded into the rift between Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo State governo, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy.
The president had a meeting with Aiyedatiwa, members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for more than five hours at the Presidential Villa.
Akeredolu, who is battling ill-health, was absent at the meeting.
There has been in a cold war between Akeredolu and his deputy since he returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany, culminated in an attempted impeachment Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Kennedy Peretei, PDP spokesperson in Ondo State, said Tinubu’s intervention in the political battle in the state was “mere window-dressing”.
Read the statement: “There have been conflicting reports as resolutions of the Presidential parley at the instance of President Bola Tinubu to resolve the political impasse that has plagued Ondo State for a better part of this year.
“Both Rotimi Akeredolu and his embattled Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s camps interpreted the resolutions as being in their favour.
“To Aiyedatiwa’s supporters, their worries about impeachment are over.
“Let us pray that the Presidential intervention will not go the way of the Bello Masari Reconciliation Committee set up by APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. After several trips to Abuja at Taxpayers’ expense, both parties returned to Court despite promises to withdraw all cases.
“Again, major stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC), leadership of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Ondo State Government were at the Villa to iron out their intractable differences.
“From what we have read about the outcome, Tinubu’s intervention is a mere window dressing.”
The opposition party said although, the Ondo State Assembly might no longer impeach Aiyedatiwa out of the respect they have for the president, the political crisis in the state would fester if Akeredolu “remains in hiding.”
Said PDP: “It is not yet Uhuru, the cat and mouse race will continue. The siege is not yet over.”
*Photo Caption: (L-R): Ondo State deputy gov., Lucky Aiyedatiwa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, APC national chairman; Secretary to Ondo State Government, Princess Oladuni Odu and Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Oladuni Olamide.