On Wednesday, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, made it clear that his unwavering loyalty to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu cannot be swayed by any form of blackmail or false accusations.
Aiyedatiwa dismissed the lies being spread by anonymous individuals and groups, asserting that these fabrications were concocted solely to damage his reputation and sow discord between him and the governor.
In a statement released by his Press Secretary, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, the deputy governor highlighted that these false narratives, which have taken various forms, are part of a deliberate campaign by those who see him as a significant threat to their political interests in the upcoming 2023 governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa stressed that those responsible for the blackmail are intimidated by his impressive credentials, his strong bond with Akeredolu, and the immense support he enjoys from the public.”
He said: “These lies would have been ignored, but we owe it a duty to prevent the public from being deceived into believing the same falsehoods being repeated and recycled in different forms by those whose sole intention is to soil the image of the man, who they see as a threat to their political interests.
“We need to remind the public that this is a continuation of the blackmail started by these same characters some months ago, with false stories planted in some media outlets against the deputy governor. However, since those lies did not yield the result they envisaged, the blackmailers have returned with fake stories about disloyalty, aimed at causing disaffection between him and the governor.
“Many stakeholders have commended the deputy governor for the way he handled state affairs while he was the acting governor, despite all his detractors did to provoke him into taking drastic actions. He avoided their booby traps, and they tripped on their own banana peels.”
MEANWHILE, all media aides posted to the office of the deputy governor have been relieved of their appointments with immediate effect. This is contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor,
Olabode Richard Olatunde.
The affected aides are Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to the Governor (New Media), Oladipupo Okunniga; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) Samson Abayomi Adefolalu.
They are to submit all government properties in their possession to the acting Permanent Secretary, Office of the Deputy Governor. Similarly, the press crew attached to the office of the deputy governor has been disbanded.
All members of the press crew are to return to their various ministries and stations. The ministry of Information and Orientation has been directed to provide adequate coverage for the activities of the deputy’s governor office henceforth.
