There is tension in Ondo State’s government house as reports have emerged that the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been making demands and asking questions about his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s earnings and spending in running the affairs of the state. Recall that Akeredolu embarked on medical treatment abroad and transmitted power to his deputy, as he is billed to return to the country on July 6.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa But, sources revealed to Vanguard that Aiyedatiwa has reportedly been “Undermining the authority of the governor’s office through his actions and decisions.” A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “We are not concerned about the political turmoil within the government. Our priority is ensuring due process. The governor’s office does not directly instruct us to release funds. “There are established procedures for financial disbursements in the government, and all approvals must go through the Ministry of Finance. “Aside from the running grant accruing to the deputy governor’s office monthly, he has also demanded that the governor’s running grant and other emoluments attached to the office of the governor be handed to him as acting Governor. “In the past week, the deputy governor has summoned and threatened two of our officials. He has inquired about the governor’s spending and demanded to know how funds allocated to the governor’s office are disbursed. “He believes he is entitled to two streams of funding, insisting that the governor’s office allocation should be included as part of his role as acting governor. “During the encounters with our officials, they kindly explained that even the governor’s office route its approvals through the Ministry of Finance. “However, the deputy governor remains obstinate, repeatedly demanding immediate funds. Despite our attempts to educate him on proper financial protocols and the responsible use of public funds, he persists. “He has been confrontational and demanding. We see this as executive recklessness. While we understand tensions may be high, we would prefer not to be involved in any reckless activities.”
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State The source further told Daily Post that trouble began when Akeredolu went on vacation and left the deputy governor in charge of the governor’s office and he was alleged to have prioritised his personal interests over that of the state and the governor. Some members of the exco have also accused the deputy governor of spreading rumours about the governor’s health and death. The source said, “The deputy governor is behind all these circulating stories. What actually happened was that after the Cabinet meeting three weeks ago and the subsequent courtesy visits, the governor decided to take some time to rest. “The governor has been advised to deliberately spend quality time resting. So, the deputy governor went to Ibadan to visit him and brought along some files. However, he didn’t inform the governor or his close aides about his visit. Upon reaching Ibadan, the governor signed the files, which were then returned to him. But the governor didn’t wait to talk to the deputy governor. “When he returned to Akure, he started telling some of our associates that the governor should transfer power to him. He even attempted to persuade Exco members to support his position. “He deliberately initiated these rumours about the governor’s health to gain public sympathy and support. The deputy governor lied to us. It was only when we started contacting the governor ourselves that we learned the truth. “Just last Monday, the governor signed the May 2023 salary. The fact that the ministries are functioning should assure you that the governor is in charge and actively involved. At present, he is upset and pissed with these false stories.” Stating that the deputy governor already has cabinets, a government insider said, “If their attempt to remove the governor from office is successful, the deputy governor has promised a Commissioner that he will be his deputy. In addition, he promised to name another cabinet member as Secretary to the State Government. “Unfortunately, two Commissioners are competing for the position of deputy governor in Aiyedatiwa. In addition, a Special Adviser has sworn allegiance to the deputy governor as part of her plot to be nominated for the position of NDDC State Representative. “All of these people are currently allied with one another and pushing for the governor to delegate authority to the deputy.” “The governor and the deputy governor met last week, and the governor signed several documents, including the salary for the Local Government. Why would the deputy governor keep quiet while the media was reporting unfavourable things about his boss? We know he is responsible for them. “In truth, he was persuaded to make a statement disputing these false reports, but he chose not to. It is quite distressing to see such behaviour from a deputy governor who the governor personally hand pick. “In fact, he was urged to issue a statement refuting these fabricated stories, but he declined. It is truly disappointing to witness such behavior from someone who was handpicked by the governor and made deputy governor,” he said. 
Ohanaeze Criticises APC for Allocating a Deputy Speaker to South-East. Photo Credit: @Ohanaezendigboo: Twitter According to rumours, the APC is in favour of Barau Jibril serving as Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s deputy. The positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives have been assigned to Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu, respectively. According to a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the group opposed the decision to limit the South-East to hold the House’s second-highest seat. “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has watched with grave concern the zoning of principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Ohanaeze stated. We have also noted that the South East of Nigeria has been allocated by the All Peoples Congress (APC) for the position of deputy speaker. “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo states that allocating the position of deputy speaker to the South East is highly unreflective, disgusting, and provocative to the Igbo.” Then it instructed all Igbo-born federal lawmakers in Nigeria to cast their votes for the National Assembly’s top officials in the manner they deemed appropriate. To achieve this, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the leadership of Chief Engr. Dr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba), issues a directive to all Igbo legislators in the 10th National Assembly to cast their votes independently of their state, religion, or ethnicity. 
In her words: “Before the results of the presidential elections were declared, I came out to say that if Bola Tinubu won the election, I would renounce my citizenship in Nigeria and I have my reasons. When he won, people called me and said he would not do anything bad. But I am endangered by the current situation. I have been ostracised and humiliated in places where I should be honoured because of his not being at peace with me.
