The rift within the Ondo State Executive Council has reportedly reached a new high, exacerbated by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s absence and the aspirations of several cabinet members vying to take his place.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Governor Akeredolu is slated to return from his medical leave on Thursday, July 6th.
In a letter addressed to the Ondo Assembly, Akeredolu handed over the reins of power to his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
However, it has been reported that some cabinet members have been reluctant to attend meetings called by Aiyedatiwa.
Sources indicate that the State Executive Council has convened only once since the Governor went on medical leave.
This newspaper understands that Aiyedatiwa has expressed his interest in succeeding his boss, but not all cabinet members are in agreement.
Among the cabinet members eyeing the governorship race are Wale Akinterinwa, the Commissioner for Finance, and Oladunni Odu, the Secretary to the State Government.
A senior government official disclosed that Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists within the cabinet have advocated for increased funding for his office as Acting Governor, a proposal that has faced opposition.
In response to inquiries, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, the Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, stated that the Acting Governor has yet to convene a State Executive Council meeting.
The Commissioner emphasised that all cabinet members would attend if such a meeting were to take place and dismissed claims that some members had refused to participate in gatherings called by Aiyedatiwa.
