*As lawyer sues for peace in South West state
By OUR REPORTER
The Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), Dr Kayode Ajulo, has tasked traditional rulers, elders, former leaders and other stakeholders in Ondo State to intervene and resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Ajulo, a lawyer and international arbitrator, firmly believes that the state possesses the internal capacity to overcome its current challenges.
He, therefore, urged the key stakeholders to establish a reconciliation committee for the betterment of the state and its people.
Ajulo expressed his confidence that the state can address its challenges independently, stating that, “Ondo State can resolve its issues without external intervention.”
His statements came in response to the political turbulence surrounding the prolonged absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and the impeachment process of Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, which has generated unwarranted enmity among political players and their followers as well as indirectly disrupting smooth governance in the state.
“This intervention is necessary following my interactions with several stakeholders in the State in recent times which indicated that there is room for reconciliation of issues.
“The calls for this have been from within and outside of the country. Everyone is watching and no sensible and reasonable soul and a patriotic citizen could ignore the palpable development in the State.
“The State needs to move forward to ensure that the welfare, well-being, and security of the people of the State are paramount and not personal interests,” Ajulo said.
He spoke in Abuja on Saturday through the EMA media director, Yusuf Abdullahi Danladi, after an emergency meeting of the Mission, where the ongoing Isreal and Palestine War and Ondo State issues among other developments were reviewed.
Ajulo emphasised that, “Ondo State has faced a series of challenges recently, and it’s undeniable that these issues are affecting the well-being of its citizens and hindering the state’s overall progress. While I acknowledge that governance continues in Ondo State, it is evident that conflicting interests are currently impeding the state from functioning as smoothly as it should.”
To address this crisis, he called for the establishment of a reconciliation committee, comprising representatives from both the political class and the public. He drew upon Ondo State’s history, emphasizing its tradition of involving its people in reconciliation efforts, especially during complex times.
Ajulo further outlined the composition of the proposed committee, which would ideally include respected state elders such as Chief Rueben Fasoranti, Basorun Sehinde Arogbofa, His Royal Highness Oba Olu Falae, General Bajowa, Prince Adetokubo Kayode (SAN), former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.
Others he suggested as members of the reconciliation committee included former Deputy Governors, former Speakers of the House of Assembly as well as Chief Judge and Head of the State Judiciary, Senators from the three senatorial districts, the eight members of the House of Representatives, two traditional rulers from each district, religious leaders, youth and women representatives.
He firmly stated that allowing the National Assembly to take over the state’s affairs over an issue that could be amicably resolved would be detrimental to Ondo State’s development.
“We should all heed this call for a reconciliation committee to address Ondo State’s political crisis as a sign of our deep commitment to the state’s well-being and an appeal for peaceful, state-led solutions to its challenges,” Ajulo said.
