Ondo Deputy Governor: The Political Gambit of a Thankless Assistant

By Comrade Mike Adekunle

WHEN a politician deliberately, calculatively and strategically make moves that put him or her at an undeserved advantage over another person, entity or polity like the case of Dr Olayide Adelami – the Deputy Governor of Ondo State appears to be, then every right thinking member of the society must rise to set the record straight with facts and not falsehood or fiction.

Recently, one Comrade Iseyemi Olusegun, stood in for the Deputy Governor on the social media where he fabricated and concocted blatant lies against the Ondo State Government led by Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The State Government and some of its political appointees were severally alleged to have turned the office of the duly elected Deputy Governor inconsequential.

It was alleged that a sum of N180 million naira in entitlement and allowances are being owed the office of the Deputy Governor.

The Honourable Commissioner for Finance was accused of withholding the funds, while the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs was said to have taken over all the official responsibilities of the Deputy Governor.

In addition, it was imputed that the Governor has completely sidelined his Deputy in decision making that relate to key government and political party appointments.

Although, it was not the Deputy Governor that directly spewed out these complaints, but since such is in the public space, it’s expected that he should have immediately issued a Press Release or Rejoinder to disclaim or dissociate himself and his honourable office from the balderdash.

As far as the truth is concerned, there is no Governor in Ondo State that has been so benevolent, gracious and charitable to his deputy like Lucky Aiyedatiwa!

Please, fact check.

The much talked about N180 million backlog only exists in the warped imagination of mischief makers.

All allowances and entitlements meant for the Deputy Governor’s Office have been cleared.

No Aides of the Deputy Governor is being owed a dime.

Proofs are available for doubting Thomases.

Not long ago, the entire fleet of vehicles in the convoy of the Deputy Governor were replaced with brand new ones.

Please note: the fleet include a brand new ARMOURED JEEP.

It will be the first time in Ondo State history, that a Deputy Governor will have an armoured plated vehicle attached to him.

Please, fact check again.

This write up became necessary because of the urgent need to expose the shenanigans and clandestine activities of some rabble rousers to demean and degrade the administration of Lucky Aiyedatiwa through lies and propaganda.

The issue of a planned impeachment coup against the Deputy Governor is another satanic spin intended to cause confusion in the Sunshine State.

The Governor has done so much to enable the office of his Deputy to function well.

To whom much is given, much is expected.

It’s expected that the Deputy Governor too will reciprocate by facing his core duties rather than allowing himself or his name to be used as a political cannon fodder by desperate politicians.

The official residence of a Deputy Governor in Ondo State is within the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

The building is more exclusively furnished than the present official apartment of the state Governor.

Many people may be surprised at this revelation.

Yes.

This is the explanation.

The building was “annexed” by the son of the late Governor – Arakunrun Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN and refurbished to his taste in order to satisfy his other unprintable tendencies then.

The place is equipped to be more than befitting for a Deputy Governor.

The spurious allegation that the Honourable Commissioner for Finance is withholding statutory payment meant for the Deputy Governor is also uncharitable and amount to political mudslinging.

Throwing dirt around to soil the image of a focused and astute financial administrator who knows her onions is not only futile but a Dead On Arrival (DOA) ploy.

Furthermore, it’s equally preposterous to have alleged the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs of usurping the powers or responsibilities of the Deputy Governor.

As recent as two or three weeks ago, the Deputy Governor was in Supare Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, where he, in the company of the Commissioner presented the Certificate of Appointment and Staff of Office to the new king – Olusupare of Supare in the presence of thousands of jubilant indigenes of the town.

How else does one explain better that the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner are in harmony?

Except the Deputy Governor has joined those who are shamelessly attempting to pull the Governor down, the time is now for him to speak up and denounce those who are trying to stoke fire of discord between him and his principal for selfish reasons.

Dr Adelami must correct all the malicious narratives of being excluded from decision making process on key government and political party executive appointments and let the naysayers be put to shame.

Anything short of that will mean that the Deputy Governor is culpable and ungrateful to God and Lucky Aiyedatiwa for the opportunity to serve the state.

And if all the speculative narratives being shunned out against the government are not rebutted immediately, it will be an additional confirmation that Dr Olayide Adelami is the sponsor of the narrations.

Such political gambit, if eventually linked to the Deputy Governor would have revealed him as an unappreciative and insatiable assistant that loves himself more than the people of the state he was elected to serve.

Comrade Mike Adekunle writes from Akure, Ondo State