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 alleged that the deputy governor’s media team had fueled controversy involving both men, particularly when Akeredolu was on medical leave in Germany.
