IT  is a significant relief and profound joy that, after several months of deep-seated political animosity within the APC-controlled Ondo State Executive Council, peace has finally returned to the Sunshine State following a truce brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja last week. The peace deal is a welcome development and a soothing balm for the jarred nerves of desperate politicians jockeying for power in the absence of their principal and State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN.

FOR months, since Akeredolu went on medical vacation in faraway Germany, Ondo State has become a seething cauldron of political intrigues, mayhem, and almost tipped over the cliff before Tinubu’s timely intervention.Before the Abuja deal was brokered, the two factions in the state had turned government business into a battleground with provocative remarks and hurled acerbic brickbats at each other. One faction had concluded plans to impeach the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for alleged gross misconduct—a move suspected to be the handiwork of opposition supporters. With much concern, the political temperature of the state rose furiously, oscillating dangerously towards boiling point—a sad reminder to political analysts that another doomsday, reminiscent of the 1983 Ajasin/Omoboriowo imbroglio, might be lurking around the corner if politicians failed to embrace peace.

HAPPILY, the decision of the State Executive Council to embrace peace, according to the Abuja peace deal, is refreshingly encouraging to end the pervasive distrust in the air and the disruption that had almost crippled governmental affairs since Governor Akeredolu’s prolonged absence in the state.The State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, who briefed journalists after the State Executive Council meeting last Thursday presided over by the Deputy Governor, said the body has embraced peace and is now ready to work together in the larger interest and growth of the state.

THE Hope enjoins all political gladiators to let go off  the grudges of the past in the interest of the state and embrace the spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation. We implore the Deputy Governor to show leadership at this critical time by earning the confidence of his colleagues in council and addressing the sincere and genuine concerns of the citizens who are already pummeled by economic problems and urgently need a facelift.

MEMBERS of the Executive Council should truly keep their promise to allow peace to reign by eschewing petty politics, malice, and bitterness of the past. All parties to the Abuja resolution are expected to adhere to the agreement, which includes maintaining the status quo in the state, ensuring no dissolution of the State Executive, leaving the party structures untouched, preserving the leadership of the state House of Assembly, and acknowledging the President’s request for the Deputy Governor’s resignation, signed but undated.

WE denounce every orchestrated scheme to stampede or hound the Governor out of office, especially when he is still recuperating but actively presiding over the state without diminishing capacity or returns. Official reports have evidently shown no vacuum since the governor returned from his medical trip, as his traducers want members of the public to believe.

THE Hope calls on the Deputy Governor to take a cue from the untainted loyalty exhibited by the immediate Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, in his eight years with Buhari. He should not play politics to undermine good governance.We believe his patriotism will guide his steps and actions in the remaining days in office. No doubt, the sweet smell of power can be seductive, yet it remains rewarding and fruitful to those who earn it transparently.

AS Aiyedatiwa returns to the saddle, he should be seen holding the forte for his boss and being transparent with power, bearing in mind that all power belongs to God, and decisions taken should not help realize personal, religious, or primordial interests of anyone or group.

AS we continue to configure the state nationally or internationally, all political gladiators should centralize the interest of the Ondo people far above personal interests and political relevance.

THIS is the time for Aiyedatiwa to provide robust public leadership needed in crisis management by representing his boss well among the cabinet and the general public. Members of the cabinet must respect him, his office, adhere to the rule of law, and allow decorum to guide their activities and utterances as well. Council decisions and secrets must be preserved and must not be leaked mischievously.

WE make bold to demand, unequivocally, that those who have ambitions to run for governorship should throw in the towel and stop heating the polity. They should note that fighting to realise their ambitions while in government will becloud their sense of reasoning and distract the cabinet from  facing governance which is the goal of power.

THE peace Ondo State urgently needs is not the peace of the graveyard but positive peace that can create and sustain meaningful development and peaceful co-existence in society.