Akeredolu
Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is already searching for a new deputy governor to replace the embattled Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, investigation has revealed.
Source close to Governor Akeredolu confirmed that the governor has insisted that if Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment succeeds, another party leader from Ilaje, Aiyedatiwa’s constituency would be appointed to complete his term.
The source disclosed further that already, four prominent personalities have been penciled down, and they include the former OSOPADEC Chairman, Gbenga Edema; a party chieftain, Nimbe Tawose; the Deputy Speaker in the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Wunmi Ilawole.
Information also has it that the governor wants a replacement who would not have any governorship ambition to avoid distraction or collision again.
Another source within the All Progressives Congress, APC disclosed that Akeredolu initially frowned at the impeachment of his deputy.
The source added that the governor personally called the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, to prevail on the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, to halt the impeachment process.
He was said to have been convinced and brought into the process when he was presented with some weighty allegations against his deputy while he acted as the state acting governor by top party chieftains and aides.
According to the source “Aiyedatiwa’s issue has caused the governor a lot of heartbreak. You know many people weren’t happy with the choice of Lucky as deputy governor in 2020. Notwithstanding, the governor made the choice without minding anyone’s opinion.
“The recent issues have really broken the governor. He’s a man that doesn’t like “I told you so”. It was so obvious that he liked Lucky. He treated him like a younger brother with so much love and respect. The Governor trusts too much.
“Even the First Lady is heartbroken. She was so fond of Lucky. They were also pretty close. Mrs Akeredolu regarded Lucky as part of their family. That was the level of their relationship.
With additional information from: Vanguard
