Ondo: APC initiates reconciliation, suspends impeachment of dep gov

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

There may be light at the end of the tunnel on the rift between Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the leadership of the All progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a reconciliation committee and ordered suspension of the impeachment action against the deputy governor .

Speaking during the inauguration of the committee headed by the former Kastina state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, on Friday, APC national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, emphasised the need to ensure a sound working relationship between the governor and his deputy. Ganduje also expressed optimism that the members of the committee with vast experience in public service have the wherewithal to achieve the goal. He said: “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.

“In order to see how we can solve this problem, it is important to set a reconciliation committee. A reconciliation must be comprised of people who have relevant experience, cognitive knowledge on the issue before us,” he said. The terms and references of the Masari panel, according the party’s boss, include: “to interface and engage with all contending partner(s) with a view to gathering facts and circumstances surrounding the lingering impeachment process of the Ondo State Deputy Governor.

“To advise the party on the most amicable ways of handling the lingering issues leading to the impeachment process of Ondo State Deputy Governor. To 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 committee has One week after this inauguration to submit its recommendation.”

Responding, Masari who expressed appreciation over the decision to select them assured that their intervention would resolve the issue between the governor and his deputy amicably.

Members of the committee includes the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Sen Jack Tilley Gyado, Tanko Almakura, Martin Elechi, Martins Elechi and Mohammed Abubakar.

“We are very pleased with the recognition accorded to us by our party, we will do the best we can, in the best interest of our party APC to come out with the recommendations that will solve the problem of Ondo state.

“I want to appeal to the national chairman, if it is possible, to issue directives to APC in Ondo to stay any further action until we submit our report because if the committee is working and APC in Ondo is doing the same thing we may have an assignment that is dead on arrival,” Masari appealed.