There is an apparent unease among the Ondo State Executive Council members as the deputy governor reportedly moves to battle the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over his seat.
Sources within the government have revealed that the governor has become aware of the deputy governor’s lack of loyalty.
While the deputy governor has not officially declared his intention to run in the 2024 gubernatorial elections in the state, his campaign is said to have begun some time ago.
Trouble began when Governor Akeredolu went on vacation and entrusted the deputy governor with the responsibilities of the governor’s office.
During his short stay as acting governor, the deputy governor, it is alleged, prioritized his interests over the state and the governor.
Furthermore, some members of the Executive Council have pointed fingers at the deputy governor regarding the circulation of stories about the governor’s health and subsequent rumours of his demise.
The Exco members, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the matter’s sensitivity, revealed that the deputy governor had sparked rumours about the governor’s health.
Expressing disappointment with the governor’s choice of deputy governors, one of the Exco members clarified that Akeredolu’s health was not deteriorating.
He explained:
“The deputy governor is behind all these circulating stories. What actually happened was that after the cabinet meeting three weeks ago and the subsequent courtesy visits, the governor decided to take some time to rest.
“Then, last Sunday, he left Akure for Ibadan in the hope of getting some much-needed rest. The governor has been advised to deliberately spend quality time resting. So, the deputy governor went to Ibadan to visit him and brought along some files.
“However, he didn’t inform the governor or his close aides about his visit. Upon reaching Ibadan, the governor signed the files, which were then returned to him. But the governor didn’t wait to talk to the deputy governor.
“When he returned to Akure, he started telling some of our associates that the governor should transfer power to him. He even attempted to persuade Exco members to support his position.
“He deliberately initiated these rumours about the governor’s health to gain public sympathy and support. The deputy governor lied to us. It was only when we started contacting the governor ourselves that we learned the truth.”
