…Governor Akeredolu Accuses Deputy Of Attempting To Move State Items From Government House

Amild drama ensued on Saturday night after Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, instructed security agents to block his deputy, Agboola Ajayi, from packing out of Government House in Akure, the state capital.

The deputy governor and some personal aides had gone to the Government House to move out personal items ahead of the planned defection of Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party in preparation of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Mr Bolaji Salami, acting on the governor’s instructions repeatedly barred the pilot vehicle of Mr Ajayi from moving his personal belongings out of the compound. 

For over several hours, the deputy governor and aides were seen in a video footage arguing with the security personnel blocking their exit from the Government House. 

A media aide to the deputy governor, Mr Allen Sowore, confirmed Saturday’s incident to our correspondent. 

He said, “We could not leave the Government House for several hours yesterday as they refused the deputy governor to pack his personal belongings.

“At a time, the deputy governor had to ask the position of the Commissioner of Police in this matter because the way he acted was just too low of him as a public officer.”

There had been a cold war between Ajayi and Akeredolu, which became visible shortly after 2019 general election when the APC lost the presidential election in the state. 

The relationship broke down completely after the deputy governor began boycotting all activities of government including that of the party in the state. 

Ajayi has concluded plans to leave the APC to PDP where he could possibly emerge their candidate for the governorship election slated for October.

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Sunday responded by accusing his deputy, Mr Agboola Ajayi, and his aides of trying to move out government properties from the Government House following his planned defection to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Akeredolu, who spoke through his media aides, said he wondered why Ajayi was moving out properties at night.

Akeredolu’s aide on New Media, Richard Olatunde, alleged that Ajayi’s aides were caught on Saturday night with some furniture and a television set belonging to the state government. 

“They were made to return these items by the security men at the gate and instead they called the deputy governor, who later came with aides.

“The governor is not stopping anyone from moving personal effects out of the government house but why must it be at night? Why not do it in broad daylight.”

In another statement, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Segun Ajiboye, denied that Akeredolu stopped his deputy and convoy from leaving the Government House.

He said, “It should be placed on record that it is a time-tested code in government’s business for officials to take inventory of offices and quarters before and after an official is moving in or out of offices or quarters.

“But he (Ajayi) has a duty to be firm and dispassionate in exercising the roles assigned to him.”