Politics
Ondo Deputy Governor Accused Of Attempting A Coup
The strained relationship between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and his Deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has recently intensified with rumors suggesting a potential attempt to replace the governor.
Gov Akeredolu temporarily transferred power to his Deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, due to his medical treatment abroad and will be expected back in the country on July 6.
However, new information has surfaced suggesting that Mr. Aiyedatiwa has been undermining the authority of the governor’s office through his actions and decisions since assuming temporary power.
Dr. Doyin Odebowale, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on special duties and strategies, has expressed concerns about certain politicians exploiting Governor Akeredolu’s absence to gain control over the state’s treasury.
According to a reliable government source who wished to remain anonymous, the Deputy Governor has allegedly made a demand for unrestricted access to the state treasury.
The source revealed that in addition to his regular monthly allocation, Mr. Aiyedatiwa has insisted on receiving the Governor’s allowance and other perks associated with the office.
Furthermore, it has been reported that the Deputy Governor has been questioning government officials regarding the Governor’s earnings and expenditures which as led to some officials being interrogated about the specifics of the Governor’s financial affairs.
The source said: “We are not concerned about the political turmoil within the government. Our priority is ensuring due process. The governor’s office does not directly instruct us to release funds.
“There are established procedures for financial disbursements in the government, and all approvals must go through the Ministry of Finance.
“Aside from the running grant accruing to the deputy governor’s office monthly, he has also demanded that the governor’s running grant and other emoluments attached to the office of the governor be handed to him as acting Governor.
“In the past week, the deputy governor has summoned and threatened two of our officials. He has inquired about the governor’s spending and demanded to know how funds allocated to the governor’s office are disbursed.
“He believes he is entitled to two streams of funding, insisting that the governor’s office allocation should be included as part of his role as acting governor.
“During the encounters with our officials, they kindly explained that even the governor’s office route its approvals through the Ministry of Finance.
“However, the deputy governor remains obstinate, repeatedly demanding immediate funds. Despite our attempts to educate him on proper financial protocols and the responsible use of public funds, he persists.
“He has been confrontational and demanding. We see this as executive recklessness. While we understand tensions may be high, we would prefer not to be involved in any reckless activities.” he added.
Another reliable source, who chose to remain anonymous due to their proximity to the government, has stated that the Deputy Governor has been consistently rejecting the schedule of activities prepared by the Governor’s office.
The source said: “The deputy governor has gone haywire. It is like he has made up his mind to fight his boss openly. There is no other way to fight your boss than refusing the schedules from his office.
“The deputy governor is more concerned about working outside the state so as to get access to allowances and other emoluments.
“On Wednesday, the Deputy Governor was supposed to represent the governor at the 2023 FIDA Nigeria held at the International Centre for Culture and Event (DOME). But he declined, he chose to attend the 2023 NAF Conference World Hydrography Day in Abuja.
“This is just one of the many instances where he declined schedules. The events that were initially accepted by the governor in which the governor had already promised his presence or that of the deputy governor are now being declined by the deputy governor.”
It should be noted that Mr. Aiyedatiwa, in a previous statement, encouraged Nigerians to continue praying for Governor Akeredolu and dismissed rumors suggesting any disruption of government activities.
Mr. Aiyedatiwa said: “We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine State not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery, so that he can resume duty after his medical vacation, to continue with his good works for the betterment of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria at large.
“Rumours about the disruption of government activities are misplaced and only arose as a result of impatience and lack of proper understanding of the running of the machinery of government.
With permutations for 2027 elections already play high on the cards of Nigerian politicians, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is banking on Edo and Delta States to team up and swing victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Biztellers reports that his calculation is informed by the massive defection of notable politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in both States.
Gov Okpebholo made the assertion while welcoming the Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chiedu Ebie, who led the members of the Unity Group to join the APC.
Notable among other party stalwarts at the occasion were the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje and the party’s South-South leaders.
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According to Okpebholo “just like Edo, Delta is ready to witness practical governance under APC.”
Beaming with joy, Gov Okpebholo added, “It is our turn to shine in the South South. It is now your turn in Delta. It is happening here, as it happened in Edo State. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing very well for the nation. He is repairing the foundation of the country for better prosperity. Because of that, in Edo State, we have started. We said 2027 is already possible. It is also possible here in Delta. I am here to welcome my brother, Chiedu Ebie.
“Chiedu is an intelligent young man who knows when to move. It is time for Delta to move, and it is starting here with Ika people.”
Receiving the decampees, Alh Ganduje, described the Delta Unity Group as great fighters of democracy, who have provided a strong vehicle that will lead APC to the Delta State Government House in 2027.
According to the APC national Chairman, “we have the three Senators now. We have members of the House of Representatives and State Assembly members, and over 60 percent of the followers of PDP have now joined the APC. We are assured of taking over this State come next election.
“We are not surprised because of the timber and caliber of politicians you have in Delta State in the APC. What we require now is unity. Unity of purpose and unity to win election. So we can provide quality governance to the people of Delta State.
“Very soon, we will organize a stakeholders meeting for all those major stakeholders because they are all good people. They are all wise people. They are all intelligent people, and they are all democrats. So, all of them will be convened for unity, like the Delta Unity Group.”
On his part, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Ebie, noted that their conviction to join the party was borne out of the love for good governance and party inclusiveness which the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated.
Earlier, while at the Palace of the Dein of Agbor, Dr Benjamin Ikenchukwu, the Keagborekuzi the first, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure peace and security across the country for the needed development in the country.
Present at the rally were Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko; Chairman House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Teke Ibori-Swenu; former Deputy Senate President, Omo Agege, among other party big wigs.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has assured that his administration would do everything within its powers to take care of Edo State civil servants and make them happy.
He made the pledge on Friday when he received Executives of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, led by its Acting State Chairman, Comrade Bernard Egwekhide.
Egwekhide said they were in Government House to congratulate the Governor on his recent victory at the governorship election tribunal that affirmed his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
On his part, the Governor said whatever Edo State workers are enjoying in the state is the responsibility of his administration to do because it is worker friendly.
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Okpebholo said, “Whatever we are doing, which is favouring Edo workers, is done because it is our responsibility as a government. Edo people voted for us to work for them, and that is what we are doing to ensure life is made better for our people, including the workers.
“We embrace transparency in all what we do as a government to enable the people to trust us as we are not afraid of criticism. Positive criticism will put us on our toes to work harder for Edo people.
“The renewed hope agenda of the president has given us room and platform to perform and serve Edo people better as we embark on practical governance.
“We are doing everything in the State to ensure peace, unity, growth, and development. That is why we ensure smooth collaboration amongst the three tires of government. In all we do in the State, we ensure the three Senatorial zones are carried along.”
The NLC acting chairman, Egwekhide, commended the Governor for his developmental strides and the friendly environment created for Edo State workers to operate.
He said the visit was necessary as the body had come to congratulate the Governor for his deserved victory at the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
According to him, “Workers in Edo State are proud of you for the developmental strides in the State. You have created a friendly relationship between your administration and Edo workers as you have always taken steps to favour Edo State workers.
“Without asking, workers received their 13th month. You raised the subvention of Ambrose Ali University (AAU) from N41 to N500 million. You regularized casual workers in Edo State. You increased what is due pensioners monthly from N50 million to N1 billion naira for both local and State pensioners.”
He noted that a committee has been set up to look into the compulsory pension scheme, which has become a burden on retired civil servants, adding that the report will be submitted to him for his action.
“We thank the governor for several employments given to our people in the very short time in office,” he added.
In a related development, Gov Monday Okpebholo also received the new branch controller, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Edo State, Apanke Utande who was on a courtesy visit to Government House, where the Governor urged him to collaborate with his administration to improve the lives of Edo people.
Sir Jude Idimogu, a former two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has strongly stated that there will be “no vacancy” in Aso Rock come 2027, reaffirming his commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu.
Idimogu, who served as the representative of Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II from 2015 to 2023, shared his views during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.
His comments followed the recent declaration from an opposition group promising to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
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A steadfast member of the APC and deputy leader of the Ndigbo socio-cultural group in Lagos, Idimogu dismissed the opposition’s chances of defeating President Tinubu in 2027, asserting that no coalition of opposition leaders could pose a significant challenge to the president’s second-term aspirations.
“The ruling party has strong leadership and unwavering grassroots support that will carry us through to victory in 2027,” Idimogu stated, branding the opposition’s efforts as “futile.”
He further noted that power rotation between the North and South made it clear that it was the South’s turn to complete its eight years in office.
“There is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2027, and I am appealing to all Northerners in the APC to support the president in completing his eight years,” he added.
In his assessment of the current administration’s progress, Idimogu lauded President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, citing positive developments such as better power supply, the strengthening of the naira against the dollar, and the implementation of policies that have helped reduce food prices and boost agricultural output.
“With the restoration of the naira-for-crude deal and the export drive, we are seeing tangible results. I don’t see any opposition candidate who can present a policy better than what Tinubu’s administration is already doing,” he explained.
Looking ahead to 2027, Idimogu expressed his firm belief that he would be among those advocating for President Tinubu’s re-election, given the progress already made under his leadership.
Idimogu concluded by urging the opposition coalition to reconsider its stance, suggesting that they join forces with the president for the greater good of the nation.
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