Ondo gov picks ex-NASS clerk as deputy, dissolves Akeredolu’s cabinet

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has nominated Olayide Owolabi Adeamil, a former deputy clerk of the National Assembly, to become his deputy. The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed Adelami as deputy governor-nominee from governor. Receiving the letter on behalf of other lawmakers in his office, the speaker said the governor’s action […]

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has nominated Olayide Owolabi Adeamil, a former deputy clerk of the National Assembly, to become his deputy.

The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed Adelami as deputy governor-nominee from governor.

Receiving the letter on behalf of other lawmakers in his office, the speaker said the governor’s action was in line with Section 191(3) b&c of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

This was contained in a press statement made available to journalists in Akure by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Olatunji Oshati.

Adelami, who like the late former governor Rotimi Akeredolu hails from Owo in Owo Local Government Area of the state, is expected to appear before the House of Assembly.

In another development, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dissolution of the State Executive Council on Wednesday has continued to generate ripples from political stakeholders in the state ahead of the 2024 governorship election.

Daily Trust reports that the governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the dissolution was with immediate effect.

The governor asked all the members of the cabinet to immediately hand over to the permanent secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.

“Also, all Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) are relieved of their duties, with immediate effect. All the affected officials are directed to hand over all government properties in their possession,” the statement read in part.

Daily Trust gathered that while the dissolution took some of the stakeholders by surprise, the majority of citizens of the state considered the action of Aiyedatiwa, who is possibly going to throw his hat into the ring ahead of the November 16 election, as a long overdue decision.

Of 18 state commissioners removed yesterday, one of them, Engr. Raimi Aminu, the former Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, had earlier tendered his resignation from the cabinet.

Before Wednesday’s decision of the governor, many stakeholders across the state had wondered why Aiyedatiwa would continue with the ‘old wine’ and not ‘new wine’ having succeeded the impeachment plot against him by the members of the House of Assembly.

However, the delay may not be unconnected with the reported gentlemanly agreement reached in Abuja with President Bola Tinubu during the political crisis that engulfed the state before the demise of Akeredolu.

But reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, told Daily Trust that the dissolution was expected especially as his principal began to change the face of governance in the state.

He explained that the dissolution would allow Governor Aiyedatiwa to inject new hands and fresh blood into the governance of the state, adding that a new cabinet would be formed soon.

“So, I know very soon the governor will reconstitute the state executive members and when he’s ready for that, the people will know,” Adeniyan said.

In the meantime, the governor has appointed Tayo Oluwatuyi as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG) few hours after dissolving the cabinet.

The governor also appointed Abayomi Olasanya as the Chief of Protocol, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan on Wednesday in Akure.

The statement said both appointments were with immediate effect.