Barrister Sola Ajisafe, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, has leveled accusations against the acting governor of the state, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, alleging a planned reshuffle of the State Executive Council contrary to an agreement reached with President Bola Tinubu.
Ajisafe, a former state coordinator of the NPOWER programme, claimed that the acting governor is contemplating the reshuffle to undermine Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is currently recuperating in an undisclosed hospital.
Speaking on a radio program titled ‘Heart of the Matter,’ monitored by LEADERSHIP in the state capital, Ajisafe asserted that Aiyedatiwa’s motive for reshuffling the council is to favor his supporters within the government.
He disclosed specific changes expected, stating, “the Acting Governor would redeploy the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu, to the Ministry of Commerce, while the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa, would be posted to Culture and Tourism.”
Ajisafe highlighted that these actions are inconsistent with the 1999 constitution and the agreement reached with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a peace meeting held in Abuja.
Quoting constitutional provisions, he emphasized that “Section 190 of the Constitution did not give the Deputy Governor the power to reshuffle the cabinet,” emphasizing that the Acting Governor’s role is to act on behalf of the governor, not to override the governor’s decisions.
Ajisafe criticized two memos from the office of the Acting Governor, including the freezing of local governments and Local Council Development Area (LCDA) accounts and the Chief of Protocol’s (COP) action, deeming them as potentially undermining the governor’s office.
He maintained that these actions and the protests by non-state actors demanding the resignation of Governor Akeredolu indicate Aiyedaiwa’s desire to succeed his boss through any means.
Ajisafe criticized the involvement of non-state actors, noting their absence during crucial times and their sudden appearance when they had an agenda to push, stating, “These are the people who are pushing an agenda capable of rocking the boat of progress in Ondo State.”
