Akeredolu’s expected return sets panic in acting governor’s camp
Tamarauemi Ebimini
There is a palpable sense of anxiety among some members of the Ondo State Executive Council over the imminent return of the governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to the state after his extended medical treatment abroad.
According to reliable sources, the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been meeting with some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to seek forgiveness from Akeredolu over his actions while his boss was away, one of which was while the governor was receiving medical care in Germany, Aiyedatiwa was reportedly involved in plotting to coerce the governor into resigning on health grounds.
A source within the Executive Council explained that Aiyedatiwa and his supporters have been restless since the emergence of pictures and videos online showing the governor in the process of recovery. According to the source, the acting governor and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gbenga Ale, had assured certain members of the Executive Council that the governor would not be returning.
Some members of the Executive Council who aligned themselves with Aiyedatiwa were reportedly convinced that the governor either would not return alive or would resign, thereby allowing the deputy governor to assume the position of governor. It was also revealed that these members of the Executive Council had been promised various positions and juicy ministries.
According to the plan, the Chief of Staff, Ale, was promised the position of Secretary to the State Government, while Commissioner Rasaq Obe was promised the position of deputy governor to Aiyedatiwa. Obe hails from Ifedore in the Ondo Central Senatorial District.
The deputy governor and his caucus have reportedly been thrown into confusion following the release of pictures and videos of the recovering governor by the Governor’s Wife, Betty Akeredolu, and the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi.
Reliable sources indicated that Aiyedatiwa has met with former National Secretary of the APC, Iyiola Omisore, former Southwest Chairman of the party, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi. These meetings were reportedly held separately in Abuja.
The deputy governor is said to be visiting these APC leaders in an attempt to gain their favor and secure their support in persuading the governor to overlook his actions.
