The reason why Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rejected the apology tendered by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over allegations of misconduct has emerged.
Recall that Aiyedatiwa, at a media briefing in Akure, the state capital, on Thursday, expressed regrets that negative reports that had trailed the crisis must have caused embarrassment to the governor in the last few months. He apologised and pledged his loyalty to the governor.
However, reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale, to the apology, Governor Akeredolu rejected the apology.
The governor insisted that his deputy had a question to answer before the state House of Assembly while disagreeing that he had intervened in the crisis by asking the House to embrace political solutions to the crisis.
It is understood that the governor’s decision has paved the way for the state House of Assembly to continue with its impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa.
According to sources close to the governor, Akeredolu rejected the apology because it did not contain a specific admission of guilt or a commitment to address the allegations against him. The sources also said that Aiyedatiwa failed to carry out proper underground lobbying and meet with key stakeholders in the state before tendering the apology.
The sources added that Akeredolu was also peeved that Aiyedatiwa travelled to Abuja without informing him and that pictures of Aiyedatiwa in his office later flooded social media, prompting speculation that the governor was bedridden or in a wheelchair.
Aiyedatiwa has been accused of a number of offences, including abuse of office, financial impropriety, and gross misconduct. The state House of Assembly set up a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations against him, and the panel is expected to submit its report soon.
The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has said that Aiyedatiwa’s apology to Akeredolu is “not a concern of the Assembly.” He said the Assembly will continue with the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa, regardless of the apology.
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