PUNCH
Doyin Odebowale, the former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has explained why he resigned following the governor’s death.
Odebowale along with the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Aminu Raimi; and the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Olawale Abolade, resigned following the passing of Akeredolu on Wednesday in Germany.
Also, the Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Dare Aragbaye, and the Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor, Richard Olatunde, resigned.
In their letters of resignation addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the two aides cited Akeredolu’s death as the reason for their actions.
However, Odebowale disclosed on Saturday that he resigned as he could not guarantee the same commitment he had with Akeredolu.
He noted that he had performed his duties with the full support of the late governor whom he said he had worked with for over 30 years.
He added that he convinced Akeredolu to contest the governorship in 2018 and that led to him holding the office of a special adviser to the governor to run the affairs of the state.
He, however, noted that despite his loyalty to the late governor, he has no issues with the newly-sworn in governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“I have worked with Akeredolu for 30 years. I was the last person who convinced him to contest in the last election. I wrote all his campaign content. It is more of a personal reason to me. I have nothing against whosoever is in office now.
“I have nothing left to do in the office when the person who brought me there is no longer there. I can’t remain in that space and pretend. I can’t be as committed as I was with Akeredolu because I got all his support. It was not politicking. He gave me the wings to fly. He was my brother like a family,” he said.
While fielding questions on an allegation of assault against a pregnant woman, he said it was fabricated, noting that he would never slap any woman.
He said it was orchestrated out of jealousy by those who felt he was too powerful.
He explained, “It never happened. How would I do that? I do not slap women, I sleep with them and I can not deny that. those who knew me in the last 35 years know that. About the allegation, the governor had directed me to move into the market following a report given to him that the place was not good, especially where they sell edible things.
