Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state and his deputy, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, have developed a chilly friendship.
Aiyedatiwa allegedly hatched preparations to unseat the governor on Wednesday, June 21.
After beginning medical treatment, Akeredolu delegated authority to the deputy governor and is anticipated to return on July 6.
Aiyedatiwa has apparently been “undermining the authority of the governor’s office through his actions and decisions,” according to new information, since the announcement of the power transition, Vanguard said.
According to The Nation, Dr. Doyin Odebowale, the senior special assistant to the governor on special tasks and strategies, recently expressed concern that certain politicians may be leveraging the absence of Akeredolu, who is presently on medical leave, to seize control of the state’s coffers.
The deputy governor has wanted free access to the state coffers, according to a reputable government source who pleaded anonymity.
The source further revealed that Aiyedatiwa has insisted on collecting the governor’s stipend and other perks in addition to his normal monthly payment.
Further information revealed that the deputy governor has been questioning government representatives over the governor’s income and expenses.However, the source stated:
“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.
“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.”
Another reliable source, who pleaded anonymity, said the deputy governor has been refusing the schedule of activities as being prepared by the governor’s office.
Adding that his actions in recent days clearly showed he has made up his mind to fight Akeredolu.
The source said:
“The deputy governor has gone haywire. It is like he has made up his mind to fight his boss openly. There is no other way to fight your boss than refusing the schedules from his office.
“The deputy governor is more concerned about working outside the state so as to get access to allowances and other emoluments.
“On Wednesday, the Deputy Governor was supposed to represent the governor at the 2023 FIDA Nigeria held at the International Centre for Culture and Event (DOME). But he declined, he chose to attend the 2023 NAF Conference World Hydrography Day in Abuja.
“This is just one of the many instances where he declined schedules. The events that were initially accepted by the governor in which the governor had already promised his presence or that of the deputy governor are now being declined by the deputy governor.”
It will be recalled that Ayedatiwa had urged Nigerians not to relent in praying for his boss and also debunked rumours about the disruption of government activities.