ONDO STATE Deputy Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has discountenanced his rumoured resignation from office, urging members of the public, particularly residents of the state, to disregard a purported pre-signed resignation letter, authored by him, which is currently circulating in the state.
Aiyedatiwa’s reaction is sequel to reports that members of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s inner circle were perfecting a plot to remove him if he fails to resign voluntarily.
Sources close to the deputy governor, who wished to remain anonymous, had however, indicated that Aiyedatiwa, who was in charge all through Akeredolu’s medical treatment abroad, had no intention of resigning before the conclusion of his four-year term.
Meanwhile, in a letter signed by the deputy governor and titled, Re: PURPORTED PRE-SIGNED RESIGNATION LETTER, he said, “My attention has been drawn to a rumour of a purported pre-signed resignation letter, signed by me, being circulated in the public domain.
“I wish to state that I, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State have not, do not intend and will not sign/author any letter resigning my position as the duly elected Deputy Governor in a joint ticket with my principal, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.
“I took an oath the day I was sworn in along with Mr Governor on 24th February 2021 to protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a four (4) year mandate which terminates on 23rd February 2025. I remain loyal to my Principal and stand by the oath I took with the Bible to run the full cycle of the four-year tenure with Mr. Governor
“To this end, I urge the people of Ondo State, the state Assembly and the general public to disregard such letter now and in the future.
“Thank you.”
Ayedatiwa, who served as acting Governor for about three months while Akeredolu was in an undisclosed German hospital, is reportedly facing threats from influential politicians loyal to the governor, pressuring him to step down or face removal from office.
“This divide within the State Executive Council deepened during the governor’s absence. Commissioners who cooperated with Lucky Aiyedatiwa during the governor’s leave have been branded as disloyal to the governor,” one of the sources revealed.
A senior government official expressed frustration, stating that the constant threats coming from Ibadan – the current base of Akeredolu, were excessive.
He had said, “The threat to dismiss and reshuffle the cabinet is too much. We have contributed to the government’s success, and we are tired of these daily threats.”
Since Governor Akeredolu’s return from his medical trip, he has been conducting cabinet meetings and governing the state from Ibadan, raising suspicions that only those close to him will retain their positions.
Eighteen-Eleven Media