Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has taken a decisive step by dissolving the State Executive Council and relieving all Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants of their duties, effective immediately.
In an official statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Wednesday, Governor Aiyedatiwa directed all cabinet members to promptly hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices. Additionally, the affected officials are instructed to hand over all government properties in their possession.
The governor expressed gratitude to the departing officials for their dedicated services and contributions to the state’s development.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assumed office as the substantive governor on December 27, 2023, following the passing of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. Akeredolu, who was 67 years old, succumbed to prostate cancer while undergoing treatment in a German hospital.
The transition of power occurred on December 13, 2023, when Akeredolu, before his medical leave, formally handed over to Aiyedatiwa, following the intervention of President Tinubu. The intervention was prompted by the crisis arising from Akeredolu’s failure to hand over to his deputy upon his return to Nigeria in September. Akeredolu operated from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after returning to the country.
The state House of Assembly had initiated an impeachment process against the deputy governor, leading to a division in the assembly, the executive council, and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress. President Tinubu’s intervention, culminating in Aiyedatiwa’s appointment as acting governor, aimed to resolve the protracted crisis.
Notably, prior to Aiyedatiwa’s swearing-in, the Special Adviser to Akeredolu on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye, and the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, had resigned, citing the demise of the governor as the reason for their departure.
In their resignation letters addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, both aides expressed loyalty and gratitude to the late Governor Akeredolu, signaling a poignant end to their roles in the administration.
