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Barely a year to the next gubernatorial elections during which it would seek revalidation of its mandate to continue leading the people of Ondo State, and at a time when the Rotimi Akeredolu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government should be rallying on forces on a train, there are signals that an internal implosion, which may weaken the party at the base, is well underway. And party faithful is becoming restless.
First, some party members have raised concerns over the way the government is being run by some cabinet members, especially since the alleged sudden disappearance of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from the state.
From palpable signs, things are said to have further degenerated since the governor proceeded on his annual vacation, while his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, was presumed to have taken over in acting capacity.
Though a circular with reference No: CD217Vol IV/50 and dated September 24, 2019, was received by the Chief of Staff to the governor from the Cabinet and Special Services Department of the Governor’s Office, announcing the annual vacation of Mr. Governor, allegations had been rife that a cabal took over the reins of government instead, shutting out the deputy governor from governance.
The circular had read to all MDAs that, “Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, would be on a 9-working day vacation with effect from Monday, September 23rd, 2019 to Friday 4th October 2019, as the second installment of his year 2019 annual leave. Mr. Governor has directed that the Deputy Governor perform the functions of his office while on vacation.”
Party men have, however, alleged that all through the period, the deputy governor was shut out while subordinates had field day. This is besides another allegation that since the so-called vacation period lapsed, Governor Akeredolu had neither resumed his duties nor seen anywhere in public.
The situation, it is claimed, almost led to a near-crisis situation among party members in the state when a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, on Monday, October 7, announced the sack of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Engr. Augustine Pelemo (attached to the Deputy Governor) over birthday greetings.
Pelemo, it was said, had greeted the wife of the Deputy Governor on his Facebook wall, describing her as the “Acting First Lady” to the chagrin of the Governor, who ordered his sack in absentia.
The development got many party chieftains questioning the constitutionality of the governor’s act while the acting governor, recognised by the same law that granted his vacation, has not been informed of his resumption to office.
Amid the confusion caused by Governor Akeredolu’s absence, news is making the rounds that the Governor is critically ill and travelled out of the state to seek medical attention overseas in an undisclosed hospital.
A source within the state cabinet, who pleaded anonymity, told The Guardian that, “the Governor was actually ill and was flown out of the country. But he is back, he has only been confined in Abuja for recuperation.”
According to the source, only very few members of his cabinet are granted access to see him while many are groping in the dark about the governor’s whereabout.
This stance was further fuelled by some incidences. First, observers noted that the Governor was expected to be at his maternal uncle, late High Chief Sunday Adeyemi ‘s burial at Igbotu, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, but was conspicuously absent.
The delegation to the burial, held at First African Church Mission, Igbotu, further fuelled the suspicion as it was gathered that there was a dual representation of the governor by the Deputy Governor, Ajayi, and the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Ojogo, who both hail from the council. It was alleged that the cabal sent the latter to represent the Governor.
Read Full Story [The Guardian]
