The apparent fierce battle against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa when he was the Deputy Governor of Ondo State and also while acting as the Governor, has continued without respite.
As previously reported by Starnews NG, the Sunshine State was embroiled in heated controversy over an attempt by the State House of Assembly to remove Aiyedatiwa as the Deputy Governor after various allegations which include gross misconduct.
During the impeachment process that clearly balkanized the cabinet, Aiyedatiwa had rushed to court to halt the action against him as the late Former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was outside the state on medical leave.
Recalled that the fight against Aiyedatiwa, premised on disloyalty, occasioned the sack of his Aides. An ominous sign that sent a negative signal to residents and political watchers that there was a frosty relationship between late Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa.
After a Presidential intervention, Aiyedatiwa was named the Acting Governor, but the battle against him continued. Although there were reports that the ambition of some members of the cabinet including the Governor engendered the political crisis then.
However, the unfortunate death of Akeredolu on December 27, 2023, which attracted both national and international sympathy, gave capacious room for Aiyedatiwa to be the Executive Governor of Ondo State.
After he was sworn-in as Governor, at least five Akeredolu’s Aides dropped their resignation letters including the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing in Ondo State, Raimi Aminu.
As the remains of Akeredolu arrived Nigeria a few days ago, the plane conveying the body arrived at about 3:39 p.m on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The late Governor’s remains were brought into the country from Germany, where he passed away.
The body was received by his wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his children, and siblings led by Prof. Wole Akeredolu, the immediate younger brother.
Suprisingly, Aiyedatiwa was not among the notable dignitaries that received the remains of the late Governor. The obvious absence of the Governor raised suspicion that the battle against him still continues without respite.
“Possibly, Aiyedatiwa was not invited to the place where the body of the Governor was received”, a source hinted.
Others who received the corpse were : Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Ayinde; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbi Talabi; and representative of Osun State Governor, Senator Demola Adeleke also joined in receiving the body.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin; a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati, and some members of the Ondo State Executive Council, led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, were also present at the airport to receive the body of the former Governor.
In a latest development, two groups, the Conscience of Progressive Change (CPC) and Ondo Elites Assembly (OEA), have slammed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State for not joining the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s family to receive his body after arriving at the country on Friday.
They condemned the governor’s absence at the airport where the late Akeredolu’s body was received, describing it as cruel.
As Ondo 2024 governorship election draws near, Starnews NG report that Aiyedatiwa is going to face intense battle from powerful and influential politicians eyeing the Alagbaka seat.
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