Politics

Impeachment: Akeredolu Shops For New Deputy Governor

Published

3 years ago

October 2, 2023

Editor

Indications emerged that Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is searching for a new deputy governor to replace the embattled Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

A government source told Vanguard in Akure, the Ondo state capital, that the governor has insisted that if Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment succeeds, another party leader from Ilaje would be appointed to complete his term.

Already, the source said that four prominent personalities have been penciled down, and they include the former OSOPADEC Chairman, Gbenga Edema; a party chieftain, Nimbe Tawose; the Deputy Speaker in the State House of Assembly, Abayomi Akinruntan; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Wunmi Ilawole.

Vanguard gathered that the governor has also insisted that the replacement be someone who doesn’t have any governorship ambitions to avoid another distraction.

Another source within the party confided in Vanguard that Akeredolu initially kicked against the impeachment of his deputy.

The source added that the governor personally called the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, to prevail on the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, to halt the impeachment process.

He reportedly bought into the process when he was presented with some weighty allegations against the deputy governor while he acted as the state acting governor by top party chieftains and aides.

According to the source “Aiyedatiwa’s issue has caused the governor a lot of heartbreak. You know many people weren’t happy with the choice of Lucky as deputy governor in 2020. Notwithstanding, the governor made the choice without minding anyone’s opinion.

“The recent issues have really broken the governor. He’s a man that doesn’t like “I told you so”. It was so obvious that he liked Lucky. He treated him like a younger brother with so much love and respect. The Governor trusts too much.

“Even the First Lady is heartbroken. She was so fond of Lucky. They were also pretty close. Mrs Akeredolu regarded Lucky as part of their family. That was the level of their relationship.

“Even with all the schemings by Lucky, when the governor came back he told his people to move on and forget it. The only reason he fired Lucky’s media aides was because of a planted story against him which he confirmed.

“Governor Akeredolu is a man with a large heart. He didn’t want to rock the boat. He had wanted Lucky to finish his tenure as the deputy governor but he was not also comfortable that he would be suppressing such allegations against Lucky. He wanted his deputy to defend himself.” The source said.

“Akeredolu is just not lucky with his two deputy governors. He trusted them but they betrayed the trust. They were just too ambitious.

“Aiyedatiwa has forgotten that it’s God that enthroned. He moved faster than his legs. He allowed himself to be pushed. He’s just not patient enough.

“It’s just unfortunate; lucky was unlucky. The allegations against him couldn’t be swept under the carpet.”

Recall that Aiyedatiwa has denied all the allegations of gross misconduct describing them as fabricated lies against him and those desperate to kick him out.

The deputy governor was expected to react to the 14 allegations of gross misconduct level against him this week.

Meanwhile, the 9-man committee set up by the national leadership of the All Progressive Congress to resolve the imbroglio between Akeredolu and his deputy are expected in the state this week.

A top government source said that the committee chairman, who is a former governor of Katsina State, Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, has written to all stakeholders in a bid to reconcile all parties involved.

The national leadership of the party was disturbed by the unfortunate political situation in the state, which, if not quickly averted, may lead to further disaffection among the party faithful.

Their intervention, the source told Vanguard “is to foster a better understanding that may likely lead to an amicable resolution.”

Politics

JUST IN: Former APC National Youth Leader Dumps Party

Published

3 seconds ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has announced his decision to dump the ruling party.

Abubakar who disclosed this in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday, explained that his decision was unconnected with the hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the APC.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity.

He stated that his decision followed a series of consultations with family, friends, political associates and stakeholders saying this was after a careful reflection on recent developments within the party structure and internal arrangements.

“It is high time to adopt a party with a more clear vision and the compassion to help the common man.

“The APC processes are not working, the party is not just and fair. I’m leaving the party because there is no fairness in the electoral processes of the party as well as the consensus.

“And I know that they are not going to be fair in the forthcoming primaries but they will only use the power of incumbency.

“Also, what the party is doing to every family is becoming something else as it’s becoming too hard to put a three square meal on the table,” he said.

The Former APC National Youth Leader however, affirmed that he would soon reveal the new political party of his destination in no distant time.

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”