Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has been berated for refusing to join the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s family in receiving his remains at the Airport on Friday.
A group, Conscience of Progressive Change (CPC) condemned the Governor’s action, describing it as cruel and inhumane.
The group said Aiyedatiwa being a direct beneficiary of his late principal in life and death should have honoured him in the best possible way.
Expressing the group’s disapproval in a press statement issued in Akure, the state capital, the Coordinator of CPC, Remi Ogunmola, said the Governor should have been the one to receive the body.
Ogunmola stated: “It is sheer wickedness to refuse to receive the body of your former principal, a man who died while in active service to the state, and whose tenure you are completing.
“Since the demise of Governor Akeredolu, we have continued to hear and verify various stories that initially started as rumours. Governor Aiyedatiwa’s refusal to receive the late Akeredolu’s body has substantiated many of these insinuations and rumours.
“What could Hon. Aiyedatiwa be doing that is so important? Was it too much to lead all members of the state executive council in receiving the body of the late governor?
“If other state governors in the Southwest could send eminent representatives, was it too much to ask Aiyedatiwa, the direct beneficiary of Akeredolu’s death, to be present?.”
In a related development, the Ondo Elites Assembly faulted Governor Aiyedatiwa’s actions.
The group in a statement by its General Secretary, Chief Yemi Oladiran, said Aiyedatiwa’s actions since the demise of Akeredolu indicated that he was only shedding crocodile tears.
The group said, “The group found it even more shocking that Aiyedatiwa exclaimed “A ku orire” (Congratulations to us) during his inauguration, which occurred the day the late Governor passed away.
“With this development, we don’t need to be told that Aiyedatiwa didn’t hold his late boss in high regard. Even in death, Aiyedatiwa has continued to display a lack of respect and love for the deceased. It’s a sad and unfortunate situation.
“We are deeply concerned by the way Governor Aiyedatiwa has been handling the death of his late principal. His behavior has been apathetic and unsympathetic. It is evident that this is not the appropriate way to treat someone’s benefactor.
“It’s highly disheartening to see Akeredolu’s body moved from the airport without any insignia or sign of the state government. Akeredolu did his best for the state and the Southwest at large. He deserved better.”
