TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo has reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in the political crisis in the state.

On Friday night, Tinubu waded into the rift between Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy.

The president had a meeting with Aiyedatiwa, members of the Ondo 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.

Akeredolu has been in a cold war with his deputy since he returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany.

Akeredolu’s frosty relationship with Aiyedatiwa culminated in an attempted impeachment of the latter.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Kennedy Peretei, PDP spokesperson in Ondo, said Tinubu’s intervention in the political battle in the state is “mere window-dressing”

“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,” the statement reads.

“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 assembly may no longer impeach Aiyedatiwa out of the respect they have for the president, the political crisis in the state will fester if Akeredolu “remains in hiding”.

“It is not yet Uhuru, the cat and mouse race will continue. The siege is not yet over,” the party said.