‘Akeredolu rejected Aiyedatiwa’s apology because it was vague’

A top government official in the Ondo State Government has said Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu rejected the apology tendered by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, because it was vague.

The top government official said the apology tendered by Aiyedatiwa “does not contain a specific interest in their conflict.”

The official also said Aiyedatiwa failed to carry out proper underground lobbying and meeting specific stakeholders in the state before tendering the apology.

Akeredolu was said to have informed his inner circle that he was shocked to hear that Aiyedatiwa had apologised to him through a press conference.

Another government official said Akeredolu was earlier angry that Aiyedatiwa travelled to Abuja without informing him and after he (Aiyedatiwa) returned to Akure, pictures flooded the social media of Aiyedatiwa in his office.

The official said the reason Aiyedatiwa tendered the apology was because some northern APC leaders he relied on to save him turned around to ask him to resign after they heard from Akeredolu.

He said, “When we heard about the press conference, we thought it was going to be in line with what Aiyedatiwa has told people that he was going to fight dirty but he changed his mind when pictures of Aketi (governor) came out that he was not bedridden or not on a wheelchair. That was the reason for the apology. He was clever by half.

“Nobody can point to anything he said in the apology tendered. Will the people not question the Assembly if they dropped the investigation based on the apology?

“Mr Governor said he did not hear from Aiyedatiwa. Moreover, Aiyedatiwa made it look like it was Aketi who directed the Assembly to impeach him.

“Aiyedatiwa would have made an effort to reach Aketi. He would have done his underground work but suddenly we saw an apology after seeing pictures of Aketi alive.

“Those people in Abuja he went to pledge loyalty to tell him to resign but he did not tell his supporters what transpired.”

Aiyedatiwa had said at a press conference, “I tendered this reserved apology because of the embarrassment and discomforts he faces. The event has brought all kinds of negative news. He deserves the unreserved apology. I am at the centre. That is exactly what I am tendering this apology for.

“We have continued to read in the media, all sorts of lies fabricated to create crisis. The recent impeachment attempt by the House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.”

Akeredolu who spoke through his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, however, said the only course of honour for Aiyedatiwa was for him to defend allegations of gross misconduct levelled by the State House of Assembly.

NATION