Aiyedatiwa Sacks Commissioners, Governor’s Aides
The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The governor also relieved all Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants of their duties.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Wednesday, the governor said the development would take immediate effect.
The statement read, “All members of the cabinet are to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.
“All the affected officials are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession.
“The governor thanks the affected officials for their services and contributions to the development of the state.”
Aiyedatiwa was on December 27, 2023, sworn in as the substantive governor of the state following the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu, aged 67, passed away while undergoing treatment for prostate cancer in a German hospital.
Before his death, Akeredolu had transferred power to Aiyedatiwa via a letter to the state House of Assembly on December 13, 2023, when he was to proceed on medical leave in Germany.
The development followed the intervention of President Tinubu who intervened in the crisis that resulted from the failure of Akeredolu to hand over to his deputy after he returned to the country from Germany in September.
Although Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in the first week of September after a three-month medical leave, he was operating from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The state House of Assembly had commenced an impeachment process against the deputy governor over allegations of gross misconduct. This led to a division in the state assembly and the state executive council as well as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
In a bid to resolve the crisis, Tinubu met with the leadership of the assembly and the state APC at the State House, Abuja, last month, where it was decided that Aiyedatiwa should take over as the acting governor.
Shortly before the swearing-in of Aiyedatiwa, the Special Adviser to Akeredolu on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye and the Chief Press Secretary Mr Richard Olatunde, resigned from office.
In the letters of resignation signed by the duo, addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, the aides cited the demise of the governor as the reason for their action. The letters came in, some hours after the death of Akeredolu.
Aragbaye’s letter was titled ‘Resignation of appointment as Special Adviser Union Matters and Special Duties.’
The letter read, “I write to refer to the subject above and to resign my appointment as Special Adviser Union Matters and Special Duties with effect from today, Wednesday 27, December 2023. My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my principal a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredulu, SAN, CON , whom I am loyal to even in death
“I sincerely thank His Excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council first as a Head of Service and now as Special Adviser. Please accept the assurances of my esteemed regards. “
Olatunde in his letter titled ‘Resignation Letter’ partly read, “ It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I tender my resignation as the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, effective from today, Wednesday 27, 2023.”
It further stated,” My decision to resign from office is hinged on the unfortunate and untimely death of our leader, principal, and father figure, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.”
