The National leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has waded into the circumstances trailing the mass resignation in the Ondo State Government following the death of the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu ( SAN).
A member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) informed QUEST TIMES that they are monitoring the situation and are in talks with the new governor.
Akeredolu died in Germany on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, after a protracted battle with cancer, and hours after his death was announced, his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa who has been working in an acting capacity was sworn in as governor.
Shortly after Aiyedatiwa assumed office, some aides of Akeredolu, including Commissioners and his Chief Press Secretary resigned.
The appointees who have resigned are Raimi Olayiwola Aminu, the commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing; Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary to Akeredolu; Dare Aragbaiye, Special Adviser on union matters/special duties; and Doyin Odebowale, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy.
Though the aides said they resigned from the cabinet because of their loyalty to the late Governor who appointed them, our correspondent gathered that they did so because they feared Aiyedatiwa would victimize them due to the events that played out in the state during Akeredolu’s health challenges.
There are fears that more aides of Akeredolu will tender their resignation in the coming days or be shown the way out by the new governor.
When contacted by our correspondent, a member of the APC NWC from the South-West said they are monitoring the situation and are in talks with Aiyedatiwa.
” The party is monitoring the situation. We are in talks with the governor. Nobody has alleged victimisation and the governor has not publicly asked anyone to resign. Those who resigned said they did so out of loyalty to the late Governor and their wishes must be respected”.
“However, if we get any information to the contrary, we won’t hesitate to step in. Our party is a party of justice and Equality. Nobody should be harassed or victimized because of their beliefs or ideologies”.