Political undercurrents in Ondo State took a new turn, yesterday, as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, apologised to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, over the ongoing political turmoil and embarrassment the state has endured lately.

Aiyedatiwa spoke just as Akeredolu absolved himself from the political travail of his deputy, saying that as the executive head of the state, he does not meddle in the affairs of the state Legislature, particularly the ongoing impeachment proceedings.

Aiyedatiwa, while accusing certain political actors of inciting chaos in the state, emphasised the urgent need to restore peace and harmony to the state.

He expressed the concern during a parley with newsmen in his office in Akure, the state capital and regretted the discomfort and embarrassment Akeredolu must have faced as a result of the prevailing circumstances in the state.

While pledging his unwavering loyalty to his boss, Aiyedatiwa stressed the need to calm all frayed nerves and work towards achieving much-needed peace and tranquilly in the Sunshine State.

He said: “I am profoundly grateful to Mr Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of the Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of an impeachment move against me.

“Our beloved state has witnessed series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by Mr Governor, which gave rise to misunderstandings, misconceptions, assumptions, and insinuations and were exploited by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 governorship election.

“The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr Governor being questioned.”

He added: “It is in reference to the above that I hereby tender my unreserved apology to Mr Governor and the good people of Ondo State, and I assure all that, together, we will both complete this journey with honour, divine guidance and in good health by the grace of God.”

The deputy governor, who denied all the allegations being levelled against him, said he would continue to maintain decorum in the face of false accusations.

“We have continued to read all sorts of lies against my person in the media. None of it is true. There has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself, and I have never undermined Mr. Governor. This is a fabricated crisis just for the purpose of the election.

“I remain fully committed to the principles of good governance that Mr. Governor has established, and I pledge my unwavering loyalty to him. I will continue to submit myself under his able, courageous, and selfless leadership.”

Aiyedatiwa also distanced himself from groups and individuals holding protests or calling on the governor to resign, stressing that he has never commissioned any individual or group to engage in such campaigns.

He thanked the national leadership of the APC for its intervention in the impeachment move against him, pledging his commitment to the reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace to the state.

“I have a lot of respect for the Speaker, members of the House of Assembly and members of the State Executive Council and I do not hold any grudges. I want to appeal to all political actors in the state to allow peace so we can all concentrate on the development of our dear state.”

Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Doyin Odebowale, in a statement made available to The Guardian, Akeredolu stated that political observers in the state cannot be hoodwinked by the apology earlier made by Aiyedatiwa.

Odebowale said: “The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, does not meddle in the affairs of the House of Assembly of Ondo State, as subtly suggested at the press conference.

“There has never been any time when the governor “persuaded” the “distinguished members of Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered” by the All Progressives Congress (APC) “in the face of an impeachment move against” the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“The governor, a senior advocate for over two decades, possesses a deep understanding of constitutional democracy. Any snide suggestion of meddlesomeness in the business of the second arm of government by the governor is repudiated with vehemence. Mr Governor, you cannot descend too low.”