• Proceeds on medical leave abroad
• Political ‘dealers’ want Aiyedatiwa out of office, says commissioner

After weeks of speculation on the state of health and his continued absence from the state, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, formally transmitted power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Ondo State House Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, which notified the Assembly that Aiyedatiwa will act as governor, Akeredolu disclosed that he had begun his medical leave.

The Speaker, while confirming receipt of the letter, said that the governor would be away for a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad.
According to the letter, the leave, which started on June 7, had been extended to July 6, 2023, owing to the public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir on June 28 and June 29.

Meanwhile, Commissioner for Mines, Rasaq Obe, yesterday, said some persons in the cabinet had been orchestrating the easing of the deputy governor out of office.

Obe said he would not be cowed into hating the deputy governor. The commissioner, in a statement that he signed himself, stated that his loyalty is to Akeredolu, adding that he would reject any political offer outside the governor’s endorsement.

“The lie that I had been promised to be made deputy governor before the end of my benefactor’s tenure is coming directly from desperate politicians who most unfortunately calculate the deputy governor would end their aspirations should the unlikely happen, hence the obvious wrangling to tear down the DGov and all those who would not join their gang-up to supplant him. This is the only truth behind the ongoing uproar.

“The blackmailers should know this; I will not be cowed into hating the DGov because political dealers want him out of office so desperately. All my life, I have demonstrated great courage to stand for the truth at all times, despite the high costs. This would not be an exception. I will stand for the truth no matter the size or frequency of the onslaughts.”