THE new governor of Ondo state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has appointed five aides hours after taking the oath of office on Wednesday, December 27.
He announced the appointments through his deputy chief of staff, Omojuwa Olusegun.
The governor named the publisher of Trace Magazine, Ebenezer Adeniyan, as his chief press secretary and Sunday Abire as special assistant on new media.
Others are Smart Omodunbi as special assistant on political matters, Monturayo Oyedele as special assistant on photography, and Temitayo Iperepolu as special assistant on domestic and Government House matters.
The appointments take effect immediately.
Meanwhile, three aides to the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu tendered their resignation letters following the death of their principal on Wednesday, December 27.
The aides include the late governor’s chief press secretary (CPS), Richard Olatunde, special adviser on union matters and special duties, Dare Aragbaye, and the senior special assistant to the governor on special duties and strategy, Adedoyin Odebowale.
Their letters were addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. They cited Akeredolu’s demise as the reason for their resignation.
“My decision to resign from office is hinged on the unfortunate and untimely death of our leader, principal, and father figure, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON,” Olatunde noted.
Aragbaye also cited his loyalty to the deceased as the reason for his resignation.
“My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my principal, a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredulu, SAN, CON, whom I am loyal to even in death,” his resignation letter read.
Odebowale also cited his loyalty to the late leader as why he quit.
Akeredolu succumbed to death in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27, after battling a prolonged illness.
Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, who had been serving in an acting capacity at the time of his death, was sworn in as governor some hours later.
The nature of Akeredolu’s illness had been undisclosed for a long time, but the state government revealed that he died of prostate cancer while confirming his death.
His ailment had stretched for several months and resulted in a feud between the late governor and his deputy following the late governor’s insistence on retaining power despite being unable to function optimally.
As the feud deepened, the Ondo State Assembly moved to impeach Aiyedatiwa despite the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the legislators from impeaching him.
President Bola Tinubu waded into the dispute in November, urging all parties to “bury the hatchet and maintain the status quo,” which was later explained in a statement by the presidency to mean that Aiyedatiwa remains in his place as deputy.
Aiyedatiwa had accepted Tinubu’s directives, and shortly after, the state Assembly halted impeachment plans.
While embarking on his most recent medical leave on Tuesday, December 12, Akeredolu transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via vopara@icirnigeria.org or @ije_le on Twitter.