Tension has gripped members of the Ondo State Executive Council following speculations of ill health by the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to challenge his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for the governorship seat.
According to cabinet sources, the governor is aware of the deputy governor’s alleged lack of loyalty and has grown increasingly uneasy with his alleged ambition.
Although the deputy governor has yet to officially declare his intention to run for governor in 2024, the campaign is said to have begun some time ago.
When Akeredolu went on vacation, he left the governor’s office in the hands of the deputy governor.
During his brief tenure as acting governor, the deputy governor was accused of putting his personal interests ahead of those of the state and the governor.
Furthermore, certain exco members have accused the deputy governor of spreading stories about the governor’s health and subsequent rumours of his death.
According to exco sources who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the issue, the deputy governor started the rumours about the governor’s health.
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One exco member confirmed Akeredolu’s health was not deteriorating but expressed concern about the governor’s choice of deputy governors.
“All of these circulating stories are the work of the deputy governor.” The governor actually decided to take some time off after the Cabinet meeting three weeks ago and the subsequent courtesy visits.
“The governor has been advised to spend quality time resting on purpose.” So the deputy governor went to Ibadan to see him and brought some documents with him. He did not, however, inform the governor or his close aides of his visit. When the governor arrived in Ibadan, he signed the files, which were then returned to him. However, the governor did not wait to speak with the deputy governor.
“When he returned to Akure, he began telling some of our associates that the governor should give him power.” He even tried to persuade Exco members to back him up.
“He purposefully spread rumours about the governor’s health in order to gain public sympathy and support.” The deputy governor deceived us. We only found out the truth after we began contacting the governor ourselves.
“On Monday, the governor signed the salary for May 2023. The fact that the ministries are operational should give you confidence that the governor is in charge and actively involved. He is currently upset and irritated by these false stories.”
However, according to a government insider, the deputy governor already has supporters in the cabinet.
“If their attempt to depose the governor succeeds, the deputy governor has promised a Commissioner that he will serve as his deputy.” He also promised to appoint another cabinet member as Secretary to the State Government.
“Unfortunately, two Commissioners are vying for the position of deputy governor in Aiyedatiwa.” In addition, as part of her plan to be nominated for the position of NDDC State Representative, a Special Adviser has sworn allegiance to the deputy governor.
“All of these people are currently allied with one another and pushing for the governor to delegate authority to the deputy.”
“Last week, the governor and the deputy governor met, and the governor signed several documents, including the Local Government salary.” Why would the deputy governor remain silent while the media was reporting negatively on his boss? We know he’s to blame for them.
“In reality, he was persuaded to issue a statement disputing these false reports, but he declined.” It’s upsetting to see such behaviour from a deputy governor chosen by the governor himself.
“In fact, he was pressed to issue a statement debunking these fabricated stories, but he refused.” “It’s extremely disappointing to see such behaviour from someone who was handpicked by the governor and appointed deputy governor,” he said.
In response to the news, Aiyedatiwa’s Press Secretary, Kenneth Odusola, stated that “this falsehood and its peddlers would have ordinarily been ignored at this time, but the need to stop further negative reports and rumours capable of causing unnecessary tension in our state has necessitated this response.”
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“The said allegation against the deputy governor’s person is a figment of those behind it, and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the State had been known for weeks, so such falsehood did not come as a surprise.”
