Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has relieved the media aides associated with his deputy, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, of their duties.
This development has emerged amidst growing apprehension among commissioners and members of the State Executive Council about the possible dissolution of their council.
The EXCO had faced division while the governor was away in Germany on a medical vacation, raising concerns among some of its members that their tenure might be nearing its end based on signals from the governor.
The governor’s chief press secretary, Richard Olatunde, issued a statement in Akure announcing the dismissal of the deputy governor’s assistants.
Governor Akeredolu directed the affected aides to return all government properties in their possession to the acting Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Deputy Governor.
The discharged aides include Kenneth Odusola, Press Secretary to the Governor; Okunniga Oladipupo, Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media); and Abayomi Samson Adefolalu, Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography).
The statement read: “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.
“They are to submit all government properties in their possession to the 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 governor’s office henceforth.”
According to Vanguard, the decision to sack the aides apparently stemmed from allegations of insubordination and flagrant disregard for appropriate authority.
An anonymous government source stated that one of the deputy governor’s aides allegedly insulted the governor on his WhatsApp status, and a screenshot of the message was circulated among the governor’s associates while he was away in Germany for medical treatment.
The source also revealed that another aide was suspected of planting stories against the governor.
Efforts to obtain a response from the deputy governor were unsuccessful, as he was reported to be out of the state capital on official duty.
In addition to the three aforementioned aides, the press crew associated with the deputy governor’s office has been disbanded, with its members instructed to return to their respective ministries and stations.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Information and Orientation has been tasked with ensuring comprehensive coverage of the deputy governor’s activities moving forward.
