The Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, a socio-cultural organisation of the Ilaje people in Ondo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Afenifere leaders to intervene in the political crisis rocking the state.
The group expressed its worry over the impeachment process initiated by the state House of Assembly against the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who is also an Ilaje son. The group alleged that the impeachment was politically motivated and orchestrated by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who had fallen out with his deputy.
In a communique issued after its meeting in Akure on Friday, the group called on President Bola Tinubu, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to use his influence and authority to stop the impeachment plot and restore peace and stability in the state. The communique was signed by the Secretary-General of the association, Mr Edamisan Ogunfeyijimi.
The communique read in part: “The National Executive Council and the good people of Ilaje nation call on the state and national leadership of APC and the President, Bola Tinubu, for his urgent intervention and prevailed on the members of Ondo State House of Assembly to discontinue this ill-conceived and politically motivated impeachment plot against His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor of Ondo State to ensure stability in the polity and for the peaceful coexistence in Ondo state.
“As a matter of urgency, our traditional rulers in Ondo State, the Afenifere leaders should intervene by engaging their counterparts and other stakeholders in Ondo State and beyond in a bid to find an amicable resolution to the crisis in order not to plunge the state into an avoidable socio-economic and political crisis.
“Members of Ondo State House of Assembly should obey and abide by the court orders in respect of the impeachment of the deputy governor to avoid a state of anarchy and breakdown of law and order in the state.”
The group also advised Aiyedatiwa to seek a diplomatic or amicable solution to his rift with Akeredolu and remain loyal to his boss.
