Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has allegedly started shopping for a new deputy governor amidst the impeachment move against his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Government source that spoke with Vanguard in Akure, the state capital claimed that Akeredolu has insisted that a replacement will come from Ilaje if Aiyedatiwa is impeached.
The source revealed that four names have been suggested and they include the Former OSOPADEC Chairman, Gbenga Edema, a party Chieftain Nimbe Tawose, the Deputy Speaker in the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Abayomi Akinruntan and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr (Mrs) Wunmi Ilawole.
It was also revealed that the governor insisted that the replacement must be someone who doesn’t have any governorship ambition to avoid another distraction.
Another source within the party disclosed that Akeredolu initially kicked against the impeachment of his deputy.
The source, added that the governor even personally called the state party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, to prevail on the Speaker of the assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, to halt the impeachment process.
He reportedly bought into the process when he was presented with some weighty allegations against the deputy governor while he acted as the state acting governor by top party Chieftains and aides.
According to the source, “Aiyedatiwa’s issue has caused the governor a lot of heartbreak. You know many people weren’t happy with the choice of Lucky as deputy governor in 2020. Notwithstanding, the governor made the choice without minding anyone’s opinion.
“The recent issues have really broken the governor. He’s a man that doesn’t like “I told you so”. It was so obvious that he liked Lucky. He treated him like a younger brother with so much love and respect. The Governor trusts too much.
“Even the First Lady is heartbroken. She was so fond of Lucky. They were also pretty close. Mrs Akeredolu regarded Lucky as part of their family. That was the level of their relationship.
“Even with all the schemings by Lucky, when the governor came back he told his people to move on and forget it. The only reason he fired Lucky’s media aides was because of a planted story against him which he confirmed.
“Governor Akeredolu is a man with a large heart. He didn’t want to rock the boat. He had wanted Lucky to finish his tenure as the deputy governor but he was not also comfortable that he would be suppressing such allegations against Lucky. He wanted his deputy to defend himself.” The source said.
“Akeredolu is just not lucky with his two deputy governor’s. He trusted them but they betrayal the trust. They were just too ambitious.
“Aiyedatiwa has forgotten that it’s God that enthroned. He moved faster than his legs. He allowed himself to be pushed. He’s just not patient enough.
“It’s just unfortunate, lucky was unlucky. The allegations against him couldn’t be swept under the carpet.”
