Ondo: Aiyedatiwa shops for deputy as five Akeredolu’s allies resign

Following the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Wednesday, no fewer than five of his aides have tendered their resignation.

Akeredolu’s deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was sworn in on Wednesday hours after Akeredolu’s death was announced.

The ex-governor, who had a protracted battle with prostate cancer, died in Germany where he had been receiving treatment.

Following the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as the new governor, some of Akeredolu’s aides dropped their resignation letter.

They include Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde; and the ex-governor’s Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye.

Others are the Commissioner for Infrastructure Lands and Housing, Mr Aminu Raimi; the Special Assistant on Photography, Mr Olawale Abolade; and the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale.

The development indicated that they were not ready to work with the new governor. Some of them cited their loyalty to Akeredolu as the reason for their resignation.

Meanwhile, one of Aiyedatiwa’s allies, which did not want to be named, said the aides of Akeredolu resigned for fear of being victimised by the new governor.

“They resigned out of fear of victimisation which I don’t believe the governor would have time to do. I would like to tell you that more are still going to resign,” the source said.

Recall that there was a rancour in the cabinet before Akeredolu died.

While Akeredolu was abroad receiving treatment, Aiyedatiwa had functioned as acting governor, but some of the cabinet members did not cooperate with him.

Amid a move by the state Assembly to impeach Aiyedatiwa, he had openly tendered an apology to Akeredolu, pledging his loyalty.

Akeredolu’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Odebowale, in a statement, rebuffed Aiyedatiwa’s apology, insisting that then deputy governor must be impeached.

Meanwhile, it was gathered on Wednesday that Aiyedatiwa had begun to shop for a deputy governor.

A source in the governor’s office said the governor might pick one of the cabinet members, adding that Aiyedatiwa had been holding meetings with the political stakeholders in and outside the state in his search for a suitable and loyal deputy governor.

According to the source, the governor is looking towards either the northern or central senatorial districts of the state.