Ondo state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that he tendered unreserved apology to his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, due ‘to the embarrassment and discomfort that the political chaos of the past months has caused him and the good people of the state.’

Aiyedatiwa said political contenders preparing for next year’s governorship election exploited situations in the state.

He said the Sunshine State has witnessed a series of events triggered by the health challenges faced by the governor which he noted gave rise to lots of assumptions, falsehoods, insinuations, misunderstandings, misconceptions, and exploitation by political contenders preparing for the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election in the state.

Addressing journalists at his Alagbaka office, the deputy governor said he was saddened by the embarrassment and discomfort Governor Akeredolu faced due to the barrage of negative news in the State as a result of the events of the last few months.

He said he has only met Governor Akeredolu twice since his (Akeredolu) return to the country and has not had the opportunity to state his side to properly brief the Governor on his stewardship as Acting Governor.

Speaking on lessons to be learned from the crisis, Aiyedatiwa said he understood that loyalty pays.

He stated that there could be misconceptions while working in a setting of human dynamics.

He stated: “You should remain stable. Irrespective of whatever is said, the truth will prevail when u remain stable committed, and loyal. Loyalty pays.

“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 just for the purpose of. The recent impeachment attempt by the Election House of Assembly and the ensuing reactions have further created division and chaos, with my loyalty to Mr. Governor being questioned.

“It is, therefore, imperative for me to put on record that there has never been any issue between Mr. Governor and myself and I have never undermined him. Political actors have only taken advantage of his absence to create a non-existent crisis for their own selfish interests.

“I am profoundly grateful to Mr Governor for his intervention and role in persuading the distinguished members of Ondo State House of Assembly to embrace the political solution offered by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the face of the impeachment move.

“It is in reference to all of the above that I tender my unreserved apologies to Mr governor for the embarrassment and discomfort that the political chaos of these past months has caused him and the good people of Ondo State.

“I remain fully committed to the principles of good governance that Mr. Governor has established, and I pledge my unwavering loyalty to him and I will continue to submit myself under his able, courageous, and selfless leadership.

He added: “I completely distance myself from any group or individuals holding protests or calling on the Governor to resign. I have never commissioned any individual or group to engage in such a protest or campaign.

I wish to thank the national leadership of our great party, APC, for the intervention in the impeachment move against me while I also pledge my commitment to the reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring peace in the state.

“I have a lot of respect for the Speaker, members of the House of Assembly, and members of the State Executive Council, and I do not hold any grudge. We must all work together for the smooth running of government.

“I want to appeal to all political actors in the State to put an end to this needless crisis and allow peace so that we can all concentrate on the development of our dear State.” (The Nation)