Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has denied any involvement in the violence that trailed the ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in parts of the state, insisting that the disturbances had nothing to do with his administration.
The governor’s position was conveyed in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, amid mounting concerns over clashes that erupted in Idanre and other areas during the party’s congress.
Adeniyan described the governor as the political leader and father of all party members in the state, noting that his leadership style had consistently promoted unity rather than division.
“The Governor is the leader of the party and father to all party members. He has always provided leadership that embraces all groups and interests in the party since he became governor,” the statement read.
He added that Aiyedatiwa had institutionalised regular engagement with party stakeholders to foster cohesion within the APC.
“He is the first governor in the history of Ondo State to hold quarterly stakeholders’ engagements with party leaders. This has fostered unity and a sense of belonging in the APC across the state.”
The governor’s spokesman stressed that the pockets of violence recorded during the ward congress were not linked to him, citing his swift response to Tuesday’s crisis at the party secretariat in Akure.
“The pockets of issues in the ward congress have nothing to do with the governor. That was why he immediately called on security agencies to restore order at the party secretariat on Tuesday,” Adeniyan said.
On the fresh violence reported in Idanre, he disclosed that the governor had directed security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
“Mr Governor has also called on security agencies to investigate the crisis that took place in Idanre earlier today and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he stated.
He further revealed that the governor had issued a stern warning to aspirants and their supporters to desist from actions capable of throwing the state into chaos.
“The Governor urges all aspirants contesting for party positions to call their followers and supporters to order. The government will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order in any part of the state.”
The statement reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to peace and internal democracy within the APC, stressing that political ambition must not be pursued at the expense of public safety.
Fidelis David
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