Akeredolu fires media aides of his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa
By Ishaya Ibrahim
Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has sacked all media aides seconded to the office of the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Those affected were press secretary to the governor, Kenneth Odusola; special assistant to the governor (new media), Okunniga Oladipupo; and special assistant to the governor (Photography), Abayomi Samson Adefolalu.
A statement by the chief press secretary to the governor, Richard Olatunde, on Friday, said the affected aides were to submit all government properties in their possession to the acting permanent secretary, office of the deputy governor.
The statement said the press crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded.
It read: “Consequently, all members of the Press Crew are to report back to their various ministries and stations.
“Equally, the Ministry of Information and Orientation is directed to provide adequate coverage for the activities of the deputy’s governor office henceforth.”
No reason was given for the action.
However, the relationship between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa has not been cordial since the former became ill and went on an extended medical vacation.
On Friday, the embattled deputy governor said that no amount of blackmail, or fabricated lies would stop his being loyal to Akeredolu.
Aiyedatiwa said the lies weaved as news stories by some faceless individuals and groups were aimed at denting his reputation and causing disaffection between him and the governor.
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He said the repeated and recycled lies in different forms were orchestrated by those whose sole intention was to soil ‘the image of the man who they see as a threat to their political interests.’
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke through his now fired media aide, Kenneth Odusola, said the faceless individuals were threatened by his profile, his relationship with his boss and the goodwill he enjoys with the people.
He said: “Stakeholders have commended the Deputy Governor for the way he handled State affairs while he was Acting Governor, despite all his detractors did to provoke him into taking drastic actions. He avoided their booby traps and they tripped on their own banana peels.
“Against their expectations, the Deputy Governor was in constant touch with his principal on official State matters, so there was no gap between them.
“How can the man who was constantly in touch with his boss and had prepared for his arrival to attend some other critical state matters, including the signing of the LCDA Law after passage by the State Assembly be surprised by that same arrival? Those behind the falsehoods being peddled around had planned that these concocted lies about disloyalty and impeachment would irritate Mr. Governor and his family so as to land a devastating blow on the Deputy Governor ahead of the coming governorship election in the State.
“Now that Mr. Governor is back and has started working, the Deputy Governor remains calm and committed to the duties of his office and unruffled by the lies of desperate politicians and their agents. The Deputy Governor remains loyal to his Principal and no amount of fabricated lies will change that.”
With the latest development, apparently, it would seem that Akeredolu was not impressed by the rebuttal.