Tension is running high within the Ondo State Executive Council as Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is reportedly considering a challenge to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for the governorship seat over Speculations regarding the governor’s ill health.

Sources within the Ondo State Executive Council have revealed that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has become aware of Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s alleged lack of loyalty and has grown increasingly uneasy about his supposed ambition.

While the deputy governor has not made an official declaration regarding his intention to run in the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial elections, reports suggest that the campaign may have already commenced some time ago.

The conflict initially arose when Governor Akeredolu took a vacation and entrusted the deputy governor with the responsibility of overseeing the governor’s office.

During his temporary tenure as acting governor, allegations surfaced claiming that the deputy governor prioritized his personal interests over those of the state and the governor.

Moreover, undisclosed members of the Ondo State Executive Council have leveled accusations against the deputy governor, holding him responsible for spreading stories about the governor’s health and fueling subsequent rumors of his demise.

According to anonymous sources within the executive council, the deputy governor allegedly initiated the rumors concerning the governor’s health.

One member of the council confirmed that Governor Akeredolu’s health was not deteriorating, while also expressing concern over the governor’s selection of deputy governors.

The source said “The deputy governor is behind all these circulating stories. What actually happened was that after the Cabinet meeting three weeks ago and the subsequent courtesy visits, the governor decided to take some time to rest.

“The governor has been advised to deliberately spend quality time resting. So, the deputy governor went to Ibadan to visit him and brought along some files.

“However, he didn’t inform the governor or his close aides about his visit. Upon reaching Ibadan, the governor signed the files, which were then returned to him. But the governor didn’t wait to talk to the deputy governor.

“When he returned to Akure, he started telling some of our associates that the governor should transfer power to him. He even attempted to persuade Exco members to support his position.

“He deliberately initiated these rumours about the governor’s health to gain public sympathy and support. The deputy governor lied to us. It was only when we started contacting the governor ourselves that we learned the truth.

“Just last Monday, the governor signed the May 2023 salary. The fact that the ministries are functioning should assure you that the governor is in charge and actively involved. At present, he is upset and pissed with these false stories.”

According to a government insider, it has been revealed that the deputy governor has already garnered support from loyalists within the cabinet.

“If their attempt to remove the governor from office is successful, the deputy governor has promised a Commissioner that he will be his deputy. In addition, he promised to name another cabinet member as Secretary to the State Government.

“Unfortunately, two Commissioners are competing for the position of deputy governor in Aiyedatiwa. In addition, a Special Adviser has sworn allegiance to the deputy governor as part of her plot to be nominated for the position of NDDC State Representative.

“All of these people are currently allied with one another and pushing for the governor to delegate authority to the deputy.

“The governor and the deputy governor met last week, and the governor signed several documents, including the salary for the Local Government. Why would the deputy governor keep quiet while the media was reporting unfavourable things about his boss? We know he is responsible for them.

“In truth, he was persuaded to make a statement disputing these false reports, but he chose not to. It is quite distressing to see such behaviour from a deputy governor who the governor personally hand pick.

“In fact, he was urged to issue a statement refuting these fabricated stories, but he declined. It is truly disappointing to witness such behavior from someone who was handpicked by the governor and made deputy governor,” he said

In response to these developments, Kenneth Odusola, the Press Secretary of Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa, emphasized that they would typically disregard such falsehoods and those spreading them.

However, in order to prevent the circulation of additional negative reports and rumors that could potentially generate unnecessary tension in the state, a response has become necessary.

He said “this falsehood and its peddlers would have ordinarily been ignored at this time, but the need to halt further negative reports and rumours capable of creating needless tension in our state has necessitated this response.

“The said allegation against the person of the deputy governor is a figment of the imagination of those behind it and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the State had been known for weeks and therefore such falsehood did not come as a surprise.” he added.