Edwin Clark: Despite President Tinubu’s Intervention, Ondo Crisis Not Abating

*  Urges president to adopt Gowon’s doctrine of necessity

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday, lamented that the crisis created by the ill-health of the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had continued to escalate, despite the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
In an open letter to Tinubu, Clark urged the president to adopt the doctrine of necessity suggested by some eminent Nigerians, led by former military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, which was used to resolve a similar logjam in 2010.

The 96 year-old First Republic Minister of Information expressed fears that the situation in Ondo State could snowball into a bloody crisis.
Akeredolu returned to Nigeria on September 7 after about three months of medical leave abroad, notably in Germany, and had remained at his Ibadan private home since then.
The state House of Assembly had rejected attempts to declare Akeredolu’s deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting governor and, instead, made desperate efforts to impeach him.

The development forced Tinubu to intervene and ask the warring parties to maintain the status quo.
However, a recent alarm raised by Ondo State-born Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, that some persons had been, allegedly, forging Akeredolu’s signature to engage in underhand activities to enrich themselves, sparked fresh controversies in the Sunshine State.
Clark, in the letter, said, “Mr. President, I think there is need to act fast because we have seen that despite your good intentions, the crisis is brewing much tension rather than abating.

“There is a growing agitation for and against each of the parties. I listened to the argument of Barrister Kayode Ajulo, SAN, saying whatever action that took place at the Villa was unconstitutional and that there was enough provision in the constitution to resolve the crisis.
“He went further to talk about the inability of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, whom he described as his friend, to perform his duties as governor of the state whilst recuperating in his personal house in Ibadan, Oyo State.

“He went further to state that the signature on the memo allegedly sent to Governor Akeredolu was forged, as he said he is very conversant with the governor’s signature. He, in fact, suggested that the signature should be subjected to a forensic examination.

“My letter may come to you as a surprise because I am not from the South-west geopolitical zone, Ondo State, in particular. But as a senior citizen of our dear country, I sincerely believe that we have a duty to give you support and advice in all ramifications. Every effort should, therefore, be made, in this regard, to avert any crisis in any part of the country.”