Ondo Assembly screens new deputy gov as Aiyedatiwa sacks cabinet

A former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Dr Olaide Adelami, will today (Thursday) appear before the Ondo State House of Assembly for screening and possible confirmation as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

The state Assembly, on Wednesday, confirmed receiving a letter from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, putting Adelani’s name forward for the deputy governor’s seat.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr Olatunji Oshati, in a statement, said, “The Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, has confirmed that the House has received the name of the Deputy Governor-nominee from the Governor of Ondo State, Hon.Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. His name is Dr Olayide Owolabi Adelami

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

According to the statement, Adelami “is expected to appear before the House tomorrow (today) 25th January 2024 for screening.”

The deputy governor-nominee is a kinsman of the late Akeredolu. He was a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress during the preparation for the 2020 governorship election in the state.

The Ondo State deputy governor’s seat became vacant on December 27, 2023, after Aiyedatiwa was elevated to become the substantive Governor of Ondo State.

Aiyedatiwa’s assumption of office followed the demise of his principal, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed on in Germany after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.

In a major decision on Wednesday, Aiyedatiwa, who is barely four weeks in office, dissolved the cabinet inherited from Akeredolu.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, announcing the cabinet dissolution, read: “All members of the cabinet are to immediately hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most senior administrative officers in their respective offices.

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

In the statement, the governor thanked the affected officials for their services and contributions to the development of the state.

Meanwhile, the governor also approved the appointment of Mr Tayo Oluwatuyi as the Secretary to the State Government while Abayomi Olasanya was appointed as the Chief of Protocol.

Two of the sacked cabinet members, who spoke to The PUNCH, said they had no hard feelings.

Mr Sunday Akinwalire, who was relieved of his position as the Commissioner for Environment, said the development was not stranged in a democratic government.

“It is part of the democratic government that the governor can appoint and sack but for me, I believe whatever has a beginning must have an end and I thank God that I have been able to contribute my best to the development of my state and I wish Governor Aiyedatiwa well,” Akinwalire said.

Similarly, Mr Akin Olotu, who was Special Adviser on Agriculture and Agric-business, said he could only be grateful for the opportunity to serve.

“I will always be appreciative of the opportunity given to me to serve this state. Dissolution is not a new thing in government but I thank God that I was able to put in my best,” Olotu said.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Ondo APC to the development were unsuccessful as calls to the party’s chairman, Mr Ade Adetimehin, were unanswered while he also did not respond to a text message sent to him.