By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly has warned politicians and other gladiators fanning the embers of war in Ondo State because of their political interest, to embrace peace in the interest of the State.

The speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji who gave this warning at a plenary on Tuesday urged them to thread softly as the House of Assembly will not hesitate to deploy the full weight of the law in calling them to order.

“Without any iota of doubt in my mind, I strongly believe that we all acted in line with the mandate given to us as representatives of the people.

“Our actions or inactions were governed, guided and directed by the rules of law even though futile attends were made to blackmail and throw a spanner in our wheel as a body of lawmakers. Thank God, we all acted and spoke in one voice.

“I must confess that what we just witnessed was democracy at play. Democracy in my view is a form of participating government that provides for give and take, checks and balances. It is a process in which the actions and or inactions of the ruler and the ruled are guided by the constitutions and the rules of law. It is a process that provides room for questions and answers when occasions demand.

“We as elected representatives of the people have only acted within the precinct of the mandate freely given to us by our constituents. We have demonstrated courage when occasion demanded for it. We asked questions when there was course for us to do so.

“Notwithstanding, however, the event which we all have just witnessed, provided an avenue for assessment and reassessment. It was a win-win situation, thanks to the Almighty God and timely intervention of our political leaders and elders who were resolute in ensuring that peace return to our darling Sunshine State.

The speaker, however, appreciated President Tinubu for his timely intervention. He also appreciated the leadership of APC at the state and national levels for demonstrating leadership when occasion demanded.

“Specifically, we must thank our elders and esteemed Afenifere leaders Pa Reuben Fasoranti and Pa Seinde Arogbofa among others, for their peace initiatives at a critical time like this.

“Our thanks also goes to our traditional rulers, religious leaders, among other leaders of thought, for the peace that has returned to the sunshine state”.

He also commend all the members of the House of Assembly for choosing to tow the line of peace.

“There can never be any iota of development in an atmosphere devoid of peace. It is my sincere hope that the good people of our darling Sunshine State will harvest more dividends of democracy and good governance within the ambit of this renewed peace in our darling State.

“For the avoidance of doubt, let me present to the good people of Ondo State, the resolution reached after the meeting of representatives of the Ondo State House of Assembly, the State Executive Council members, members of the National Assembly from Ondo State and the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress with his Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and leadership of our great party.

“All parties shall embrace peace, status quo be maintained by all parties, all impeachment proceedings be terminated forthwith, and all court cases withdrawn by all parties, there will no dissolution of the State Executive Council, undated letter of resignation must be written, signed by the Deputy Governor and submitted to the President, the party leadership and structures remains intact, the House of Assembly leadership remains intact, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa continues to perform the functions of office as Deputy Governor.

“Three enforcers including the State chairman of APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin, the Speaker of the State of House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji Adesanmi, and Secretary to the State Government, Princess Catharine Oladunni Odu were appointed to monitor compliance with the foregoing resolution”.

The Speaker, urged everyone to sheathe the sword, bury the hatchet and think of better ways to accelerate the much needed development of Ondo State in the interest of the people.

“On our own part, I pledge, as always, on behalf of my colleagues to continue to work with the other arms of government and other stakeholders towards enhancing the delivery of democracy dividends to our people”.