The lieutenant governor of Ondo StateLucky Aiyedatiwa, will not resign from his position despite the recent events in the state, as reported exclusively by this newspaper.
Aiyedatiwa, who was acting governor until last week, when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu returned from a three-month medical leave in Germany, is reportedly under pressure from forces within the cabinet to resign or face impeachment.
Credible State House sources familiar with developments told this newspaper that some elements in the governor’s camp are presenting two options on Mr Aiyedatiwa’s fate should he refuse to resign.
The first option is to remove him through impeachment by the state House of Assembly, while the second option is to isolate him in government until the end of the administration in 2024.
The arrowhead of the impeachment plan is a senior government official, who fell out with the deputy governor when Akeredolu was abroad for medical care.
Their dispute was allegedly over the fact that the acting governor was not involved in funding the governor’s treatment in Germany. Aiyedatiwa was reportedly ignored on critical governance issues that he should have been in charge of as acting governor.
According to a government source who does not want to be identified for fear of being reprimanded or even fired, the senior government official and his group believe it is dangerous to keep a man perceived as disloyal and “overly ambitious” in the cabinet.
“They claim that if the governor’s illness relapses again, the lieutenant governor could throw him out since he couldn’t get his way the first time,” he said.
The second option, the source said, is being explored by moderate elements in the governor’s camp who believe that removing Mr Aiyedatiwa on “trumped-up charges” will present the governor as someone vindictive and vindictive, which may make the people of the state angry. against. him in the long term.
resignation plan
Contrary to the resignation rumor currently gaining ground in the state, Aiyedatiwa is determined to serve out his term with his director, an associate of his told this reporter.
“Mr Aiyedatiwa is loyal to his director. “He is focused on fulfilling his mandate as governor,” he said.
The associate, who craved anonymity, told this newspaper on Wednesday night that, to force his resignation, steps are being taken to forge Mr Aiyedatiwa’s signature on a letter announcing his resignation.
The associate said once the letter is read at a state executive council meeting, it would be the end of Aiyedatiwa’s time in Akeredolu’s cabinet.
The cabinet meeting could be held at Mr Akeredolu’s Ibadan residence, a source said. “The governor now governs from out of state,” he said.
The governor is yet to return to Akure, the Ondo State capital, since returning from Germany. The few official duties he has performed so far, including announcing his resumption of office and signing the LCDA Creation Bill, were all performed in Ibadan.
According to the associate, a replacement for Aiyedatiwa is already being sought in the south of the state.
He said part of the drastic measures taken by those in the governor’s camp to force Mr Ayedatiwa’s resignation is the recent dismissal of the deputy governor’s media aides.
The press release announcing the governor’s dismissal of media personnel, signed by his chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, directed the Ministry of Information and Guidance to henceforth provide press coverage to the deputy governor whenever he has some engagement with the media.
The governor’s action has drawn condemnation from people across the state, although those sympathetic to Akeredolu believe it was the right decision to downsize the deputy governor.
On the possibility of any dispute between Messrs Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu that may have soured the relationship between the two, the associate said there was none at all, except perhaps in relation to the 2024 succession battle in the state.
Aiyedatiwa is rumored to be interested in succeeding his boss in 2024, a move believed to be not going down well with some political operatives inside and outside government.
Those in the governor’s camp believe, however, that Aiyedatiwa did not do enough to reject the malicious rumors spread about Akeredolu’s health while he was in Germany for treatment. Some believe this is the genesis of the confrontation between him and his director.
Background
Aiyedatiwa, initially considered one of Akederdolu’s strong allies, was chosen by the latter as his deputy governor candidate in the 2020 elections, which they jointly won on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Until very recently, Mr Aiyedatiwa from Ilaje Local Government Area of the state in Ondo South Senatorial District was perceived in most circles as the governor’s trusted ally, hence his choice to replace Agboola Ajayi, who fell out with Mr. Akeredolu at the end of the presidency. the first term of the latter.
It is not exactly clear at what exact moment the separation between the governor and the lieutenant governor occurred, but some sources in the state attribute it to the way news about the governor’s health was handled, coupled with how some elements of the cabinet supposedly sidelined Mr Aiyedatiwa even when Mr Akeredolu conveyed power to him through a letter to the House of Assembly.
Although Aiyedatiwa was theoretically the acting governor, most people in the state believe that he was not in charge of the government or the governance apparatus, despite the deputy governor repeatedly claiming in various forums that he was in charge.
While the governor’s camp believed that Mr Aiyedatiwa’s men were behind unpleasant rumors about the governor’s ill health, the deputy governor’s camp maintained his innocence, insisting that the MP is loyal to the governor, even in the face of insults to his person and his position.
The associate said: “Mr Ayedatiwa remains loyal to his director, whom he considers his biggest political benefactor so far. He will never do anything to weaken the governor in any way. That is why he resisted the temptation of some mischief-makers to fire the entire cabinet and appoint his own trusted associates while the governor was absent.”
According to the associate, Aiyedatiwa never authorized anyone to spread malicious rumors about the governor’s health.
When contacted on Thursday to discuss the allegations of removing or forcing the deputy governor to resign, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Olatunde, said they were false.
“These accusations are mere distractions that we will not accept. Governor Akeredolu is fully committed to the responsibilities of governing the state. Since his return last week, he has been actively meeting with key stakeholders and recently signed the LCDA bill into law.”
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The governor’s main focus, the spokesperson said, right now, “is moving the state forward. Last week, he met with the Ondo National Assembly Caucus, emphasizing the importance of the proposed Ondo Port,” adding that “he is dedicated to ensuring the speedy completion of the second flyover in Akure, which is the second of its kind.” in the state after the successful construction of the Ore flyover.
“Our commitment remains firm in prioritizing the well-being of the people. Governor Akeredolu is determined to achieve the objectives outlined in the REDEEMED Agenda of his administration. In six years, we have not only met but exceeded expectations. Therefore, rest assured that the Governor is diligently dedicated to the task of governing. “We kindly urge you to ignore these distracting allegations,” the spokesperson added.