Ganduje inaugurates committee to reconcile Akeredolu, deputy


The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, on Friday, officially swore in members of the reconciliation committee established to resolve the political impasse between Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.


The development is coming barely 24 hours after the embattled deputy governor wrote the Chief Judge of the state, Olusegun Odusola, to ignore the directive of the House of Assembly to set up a seven-person panel to investigate him.


Aiyedatiwa is under the threat of impeachment by the assembly over allegations of gross misconduct and has been served with notice of allegations levelled against him by the House.


But rather than heed the House directive to respond within seven days, the governor obtained an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to compel the lawmakers to suspend the process.


The growing tension and bad blood from the same party members have forced the leadership of the ruling APC to inaugurate a reconciliation committee to end the impasse between Akeredolu and his deputy.


Speaking at the inauguration of the committee headed by former Kastina State Governor, Aminu Masari, Ganduje emphasised the need to ensure a sound working relationship between the governor and his deputy.


This was even as the APC national chairman expressed optimism that members of the committee have vast experience in public service as well as the wherewithal to achieve the set goal.


He said: “APC as a political party, we are interested to see that there is a peaceful coexistence and a good working relationship between the governor of Ondo State and his deputy.


“To see how we can solve this problem, it is important to set up a reconciliation committee. A reconciliation must be comprised of people who have relevant experience, and cognitive knowledge on the issue before us.”


Members of the newly inaugurated committee included the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; Senator Jack Tilley Gyado, Tanko Almakura, Martin Elechi, Martins Elechi and Mohammed Abubakar.


Reacting after the swearing-in ceremony, Masari assured that their intervention would resolve the issue between the governor and his deputy amicably.


Among other things, the committee has been tasked to interface and engage with all contending partners with a view to gathering facts and circumstances surrounding the lingering impeachment process of the Ondo State deputy governor; advise the party on the most amicable ways of handling the lingering issues and make necessary recommendations to the Party on resolution of issues and any other matter that may come up in the course of the assignment.


The reconciliation committee has been given an ultimatum of one week after inauguration to submit its recommendations to the ruling party.