I REMAIN LOYAL TO AKEREDOLU, SAYS DEPUTY. (PHOTO).

I remain loyal to Akeredolu, says deputy

The Ondo State deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday, reiterated his loyalty to his boss and state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu.

Aiyedatiwa said some reports making the rounds in recent times about his purported disloyalty to his boss were lies and aimed at causing disaffection between him and the governor.

The deputy governor stated this on Tuesday in a statement through his media aide, Mr. Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson. The statement was titled, ‘The fabricated lies against the deputy governor of Ondo State: the blackmailers are at it again.’

According to the statement, the reports were spread by some faceless groups and individuals in the state to soil his image for political reasons.

The statement read, “We need to remind the public that this is a continuation of the blackmail started by these same characters some months ago, with false stories planted in some media outlets against the deputy governor. However, since those lies did not yield the result they envisaged, the blackmailers have returned with fake stories about disloyalty, aimed at causing disaffection between him and the governor.

“These faceless individuals who have been hiding their identities because what they are putting out are pure fabrications, are being sponsored by those who are threatened by the profile of the deputy governor, his relationship with his boss, and the goodwill he enjoys with the people.

“Many stakeholders have commended the deputy governor for the way he handled state affairs while he was Acting Governor, despite all his detractors did to provoke him into taking drastic actions. He avoided their booby traps and they tripped on their own banana peels.”

The statement also declared that the deputy governor was in constant touch with his principal on official state matters and there was no gap between them.

“Now that Mr. Governor is back and has started working, the deputy governor remains calm and committed to the duties of his office and unruffled by the lies of desperate politicians and their agents. The deputy governor remains loyal to his principal and no amount of fabricated lies will change that,” the statement submitted.

 EARLIER REPORT:

Akeredolu moves against deputy gov, sacks media aides

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Tuesday moved against his deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, following the termination of the appointments of his media aides.

The governor’s action comes amid an apparent internal conflict between him and his deputy.

In a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, the affected aides were directed to submit all government properties in their possession to the acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor.

The affected aides include Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson; Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media), Oladipupo Okunniga; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography), Abayomi Adefolalu.

The statement reads in parts: “Similarly, the press crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded. Consequently, all members of the press crew are to report back to their various ministries and stations.

“Equally, the Ministry of Information and Orientation is directed to provide adequate coverage for the activities of the deputy governor’s office henceforth.”

The termination of the media aides’ appointment highlights the escalating tension between Akeredolu and Ayedatiwa.

According to sources, the decision to sack Ayedatiwa’s media aides was due to news reports allegedly being orchestrated against the governor.

One of the sources who spoke anonymously with DAILY POST alleged that the deputy governor’s media team had fueled controversy involving both men, particularly when Akeredolu was on medical leave in Germany.