Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has sacked the media team attached to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the sack, which was announced in a statement on Tuesday, is the latest sign of a rift between the two leaders.
The statement, signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Olabode Richard Olatunde, said that all media aides seconded to the office of the Deputy Governor have been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.
Other affected aides include: Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to Governor (New Media) Oladipupo Okunniga; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) Samson Abayomi Adefolalu.
The statement also said that the Press Crew attached to the office of the Deputy Governor has been disbanded. All members of the Press Crew are to report back to their various ministries and stations.
“Similarly, the Press Crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded,” the statement said.
“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,” the statement read.
The full statement reads:
PRESS STATEMENT
Government House Media Team Rejigged
All media aides appointed by the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and seconded to the office of the deputy Governor, have been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect.
The affected aides include: Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to Governor (New Media) Okunniga Oladipupo; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) Abayomi Samson Adefolalu.
They are to submit all government properties in their possession to the Acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the deputy Governor.
Similarly, the Press Crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded. 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.
Signed:
Richard Olatunde
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
September 12, 2023.
Recall that earlier in the day, Aiyedatiwa issued a statement reaffirming his unwavering loyalty to the governor. Their rift reportedly stems from the Deputy governor’s 2024 gubernatorial interest.
Governor Akeredolu’s action follows in the footsteps of his counterpart in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, who sacked the media aides to his deputy, Philip Shaibu, recently.
