Weeks after the deputy governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, became the acting governor due to the ill-health of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the political crisis in the state is yet to abate following the alleged move to reshuffle the cabinet.
While advising against the move, a lawyer and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sola Ajisafe, stated that the ploy would be tantamount to disregarding the constitution and the peace deal of President Bola Tinubu
The former coordinator of N-Power in the state who was featured on a radio programme in the state, disclosed that there are plans to redeploy the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Oladunni Odu to the Ministry of Commerce while the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa would be moved to Culture and Tourism.
He said: “Section 190 of the Constitution did not give the Deputy Governor the power to reshuffle the cabinet. The section gives the Acting Governor to right to act on behalf of the governor not to override the decisions of the governor. There can’t be two governors at the same time.”
Ajisafe said the two memos that emanated from the office of the Acting Governor including the freezing of the local governments and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) accounts and that the Chief of Protocol (COP) to Akeredolu are capable of undermining the office of the governor.
“These are the people who are not seen when they are needed but always come when their services are needed.
“When Owo was attacked, they were not seen. During covid 19, they were nowhere to be found. When herdsmen were on the prowl, they kept quiet. During the endsars protests, they did no protest. They only came when they had an agenda to push.
“When they returned from Abuja the second term and Aiyedatiwa was made the Acting Governor, these people said Akeredolu was incapacitated and that he should relinquish the seat.
“Section 189 of the constitution talked about permanent incapacitation, not as freely being used by these people. These are the people who are pushing an agenda capable of rocking the boat of progress in Ondo State.”
