Gov. Akeredolu dissolves deputy’s media crew amid party infighting
A fresh crisis appears to be brewing in Ondo State as Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has taken the decision to dismiss all media aides assigned to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Akeredolu had entrusted the responsibilities of his office to Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa when he left for a three-month medical leave in Germany.
However, upon his return to the country this week, tensions had escalated during his absence.
During this period, there seemed to be a simmering conflict between Aiyedatiwa and some loyalists of the governor.
READ ALSO: Gov. Akeredolu congratulates President Tinubu as he returns from medical leave
Additionally, the deputy governor, who harbors aspirations for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket in next year’s election, had encountered disagreements with certain party leaders.
In an apparent response to rumours surrounding his perceived discord with the governor, Aiyedatiwa publicly pledged his loyalty to Akeredolu earlier in the day.
He emphasized that no amount of fabricated lies could drive a wedge between him and his boss. However, shortly after this statement, Akeredolu disbanded the media team of his deputy.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Governor Akeredolu instructed all the affected aides to return any government property in their possession to the acting permanent secretary in the deputy governor’s office.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, released a list of the affected aides, which includes Kenneth Odusola as the press secretary to the Governor, Okunniga Oladipupo as the Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media), and Abayomi Samson Adefolalu as the Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography).
The statement from Akeredolu’s office read, “All media aides appointed by the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and seconded to the office of the deputy Governor, have been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect. Similarly, the Press Crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded. Consequently, all members of the Press Crew are to report back to their various ministries and stations.”
Governor Akeredolu has directed the Ministry of Information and Orientation to ensure adequate coverage of the deputy governor’s office activities moving forward.
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