A non governmental group known as Ondo Libration Initiative,OLI, has called on well-meaning Nigerians and other stakeholders to rise up and rescue governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who “has been caged by either his immediate family or his aides who are his handlers and prevented him from accessing quality health care abroad because of reasons best known to them.”
They also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the political crisis rocking Ondo State.
The group made the call while addressing newsmen in Akure ,the state capital.
Speaking with newsmen, the spokesman of OLI, Johnson Alabi said, “As for us who are stakeholders in the state, we feel that Aketi shouldn’t be made to suffer this much, having done much for our dear state.
“We do not wish him dead. We wish that he can continue to sustain his policies which have been remarkable in not only Ondo State but the entire South West region of Nigeria. E.g Amotekun concept.
“Consequently, we call on all well-meaning Nigerians to shout out loud, intervene and rescue him from this perceived captivity. Aketi shouldn’t be allowed to die the way he’s being caged.
“However, the concept we are here to showcase today is “Jara e gba” which translates to “Rescue yourself”. It is now evidently clear that every citizen of this state needs to Rescue him/herself from poverty, impoverishment, economic hardship and political hardship.
“As a matter of fact today we wish to canvass for the rescue of our Governor from the handlers who have deliberately caged him so as to remain in one position for their selfish interest at the expense of his ill health. (Aketi Jara e gba!)
“We all know that when anyone is sick as our Governor is now, he/she remains at the mercy of whoever is managing his/her health. As it is now, we perceive that our Governor is very ill and at the mercy of these handlers. Nobody has access to him! Nobody has seen him in any public place since his claimed resumption of office.
“This is why our concept of Jare e gba becomes necessary in Ondo. Ondo government needs to be rescued; the people need to be rescued by embracing Government policies that can eradicate poverty.
“Aketi needs to be rescued and taken out for better medical care. The Governor is no longer a private person but a public officer.
“We want to use this medium to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H. E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to intervene in rescuing Aketi and take him abroad for good medical care.
“We also wish to commend the National Chairman of our great Party, APC, H. E. Alh. Abdullahi Ganduje and the reconciliation Committee set up by the National Secretariat, headed by H. E. Alh. Aminu Bello Masari for their timely intervention and restoration of peace to our dear state, Ondo. Ondo State is our own. We cannot afford to live in disharmony because peace is supposed to be the driver of development in our state.
“Much as we appreciate them, we appeal to them not to relent their efforts in achieving total peace between all the arms of government of Ondo State. We appeal that they should rescue Aketi and take him abroad from proper medical care. We do not want him dead, but to live to sustain his hard earned legacies in the state.
“It is true that we can have divided opinion on policy matters like we have on issue of impeachment, but can never wish him (Aketi) dead.
“For instance, Governors El-rufai and Yahaya Bello were among the closest allies of Former President Buhari, but when Ernefiele, former CBN Governor came up with the cashless policy and printing of Naira notes, they disagreed and went to court. The essence of that move was not to fight the government but to rescue the government from collapse by reason of abnormal policy.
“It is our prayer that Aketi gets well and returns to his official duties soonest.
“We want to use this medium to commend the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, H. E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his maturity, humility and perseverance in handling the Impeachment saga. Rather than reacting vigorously to the process of tampering with his office, he chose to be polite, civil and legal in the handling of the matter.
“Though many have seen his patience to be weakness but this is very commendable by refusing to heighten the political tension of Ondo State.
“We urge him to ensure the reconciliation and the political solution opted for is successful.
“We recognise the office of the Speaker of the ODHA, and urge that the reconciliation process is given due priority.
“As for our dear good citizens of Ondo State, we bring to your doorstep, the concept of Jara e gba. To hate what is evil and embrace peace but must always be ready to Jara e gba from any form of oppression, intimidation and manipulation. Let this concept get to every home in Ondo State.”