By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Speaker of Ondo State House Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has given further insight on the truce reached between Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the political crisis in the state.

Oladiji who spoke on Tuesday said the agreement reached during their meeting with President Bola Tinubu was that the status quo should remain, even as he warned politicians and other gladiators fanning the embers of war in the State because of their political interest to desist and embrace peace in the interest of the State.

According to the Speaker, “all parties shall embrace peace, status quo be maintained by all parties, all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties, there will be no dissolution of the State Executive Council, undated letter of resignation must be written, signed by the Deputy Governor and submitted to the President, the party leadership and structures remain intact, the House of Assembly leadership remains intact, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as Deputy Governor”.

He said the clarification became necessary because of the lies and falsehood being peddled by political jobbers who do not want peace in the state.

Oladiji urged them to thread softly as the House of Assembly will not hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law in calling them to order.

“Without any doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.

“Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attempts were made to blackmail and throw a spanner in our wheel as a body of lawmakers. Thank God, we all acted and spoke in one voice.

“I must confess that what we just witnessed was democracy at play. Democracy in my view is a form of government that provides for give and take, checks and balances. It is a process in which the actions and or inactions of the ruler and the ruled are guided by the constitution and the rule of law. It is a process that provides room for questions and answers when occasions demand.

“We as elected representatives of the people have only acted within the precinct of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We have demonstrated courage when occasion demanded for it. We asked questions when there was cause for us, so to do.

“Notwithstanding, however, the event which we all have just witnessed, provided an avenue for assessment and reassessment. It was a win-win situation, thanks to the Almighty God and timely intervention of our political leaders and elders who were resolute in ensuring that peace return to our darling Sunshine State”.

The Speaker appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his timely intervention. He also appreciated the leadership of APC at the State and national levels for demonstrating leadership when occasion demanded.

‘”Specifically, we must thank our elders and esteemed Afenifere leaders Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Pa Seinde Arogbofa among others, for their peace initiatives at a critical time like this.

“Our thanks also go to our traditional rulers, religious leaders, among other leaders of thought, for the peace that has returned to the Sunshine State.”

He also commended all the members of the House of Assembly for choosing to  toe the line of peace.

“There can never be any iota of development in an atmosphere devoid of peace. It is my sincere hope that the good people of our darling Sunshine State will harvest more dividends of democracy and good governance within the ambit of this renewed peace in our darling State.The Speaker, urged everyone to sheathe the sword, bury the hatchet and think of better ways to accelerate the much needed development of Ondo State in the interest of the people.

“On our own part, I pledge, as always, on behalf of my colleagues to continue to work with the other arms of government and other stakeholders towards enhancing the delivery of democracy dividends to our people”.