The Explainer: Is Lucky Aiyedatiwa Trying To Probe Gov. Akeredolu in His Absence?

The tense relationship between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has reportedly taken a new turn because of rumours that the governor is about to be replaced.

After beginning medical treatment, Akeredolu transferred control to the deputy governor and is anticipated to return on 6 July.

However, recent information has shown that following the declaration of the power transfer, Mr. Aiyedatiwa has allegedly been “undermining the authority of the governor’s office through his actions and decisions.”

Dr. Doyin Odebowale, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Strategies, has raised the concern that some politicians are taking advantage of Akeredolu’s absence—who is now on medical leave—to seize control of the state’s coffers.

A reliable government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the deputy governor has demanded unrestricted access to the state treasury.

The source disclosed that asides from his regular monthly allocation, Aiyedatiwa has insisted on receiving the governor’s allowance and other benefits associated with the office.

It was further gathered that the deputy governor has been interrogating government officials about the governor’s earnings and expenditures.

“We are not concerned about the political turmoil within the government. Our priority is ensuring due process. The governor’s office does not directly instruct us to release funds.

“There are established procedures for financial disbursements in the government, and all approvals must go through the Ministry of Finance.

“Aside from the running grant accruing to the deputy governor’s office monthly, he has also demanded that the governor’s running grant and other emoluments attached to the office of the governor be handed to him as acting Governor.

“In the past week, the deputy governor has summoned and threatened two of our officials. He has inquired about the governor’s spending and demanded to know how funds allocated to the governor’s office are disbursed.

He believes he is entitled to two streams of funding, insisting that the governor’s office allocation should be included as part of his role as acting governor.

“During the encounters with our officials, they kindly explained that even the governor’s office route its approvals through the Ministry of Finance,” the source noted.

During an earlier press briefing, Ayedatiwa had urged Nigerians not to relent in praying for his boss and also debunked rumours about the disruption of government activities.

The acting governor had said: “We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine State not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery, so that he can resume duty after his medical vacation, to continue with his good works for the betterment of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria at large.

“Rumours about the disruption of government activities are misplaced and only arose as a result of impatience and lack of proper understanding of the running of the machinery of government.

“Such misrepresentations and baseless allusions are to be expected when political gladiators by their activities in the build-up to party primaries and gubernatorial elections in any state try to heat the polity. Ondo State cannot be an exception.”