DAILY POST
Tension has gripped members of the Ondo State Executive Council over the alleged move by the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to challenge his boss, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for the governorship seat following speculations of ill health.
According to sources within the cabinet, the governor has become aware of the deputy governor’s alleged lack of loyalty and has grown increasingly uncomfortable with his purported ambition.
Although the deputy governor has yet to officially declare his intention to run in the 2024 gubernatorial elections, with the campaign said to have begun some time ago.
Trouble began when Akeredolu went on vacation and left the deputy governor in charge of the governor’s office.
During his brief stint as acting governor, the deputy governor was alleged to have prioritised his personal interests over that of the state and the governor.
Furthermore, certain members of the exco have accused the deputy governor of being responsible for spreading stories about the governor’s health and subsequent rumours of his death.
Sources within the exco, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the issue, disclosed that the deputy governor had initiated the rumours about the governor’s health.
One of the exco members confirmed that Akeredolu’s health was not deteriorating while also expressing concern with the governor’s choice of deputy governors.
“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.
“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.
