‘Little’ governance took place in Ondo State during Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s absence, his aide, Doyin Odebowale, has alleged.
Gatekeepers News reports that Odebowale spoke Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television.
He said while Akeredolu was ill, some persons were planning to contest the 2024 governorship election.
Akeredolu returned to Nigeria last Thursday, after a three-month medical leave in Germany.
The Governor, had in June, handed the reins of power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Akeredolu’s prolonged stay in Germany elicited concerns among the political class and residents of the state.
Shortly after his return, the Governor sacked the media aides attached to the office of Aiyedatiwa, a development that stirred speculations that all was not well between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.
Speaking on the development, Odebowale, the Special Adviser on Special Duty and Strategy, said the Governor has the prerogative to appoint or sack any member of his cabinet.
Asked about the status of the relationship between the duo, Odebowale said there is no problem and that the Governor and his deputy met few days ago.
He said the State will not emulate the political situation in neighbouring Edo state, adding that Akeredolu hates “petty” politics.
“The governor is not interested in petty politics that people have reduced the whole state to in his absence,” he said.
“I can tell you for free, when he was away, there was little governance.
“People want to contest and they want to be governor.
“It is within their rights but they were distracting us. They were recruiting people to distract us. The governor is not petty.”
Asked if the governor is against his deputy contesting the 2024 election, Odebowale said Akeredolu has not informed anyone of his choice of successor.
He said some persons were posting the obituary of the Ondo Governor while he was in Germany.
According to him, these unnamed persons were also demanding the transfer of power.
