The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said that the public, particularly people of the state, should disregard a pre-signed resignation letter, said to have been signed by him.
The letter has been circulating stakeholders in the state all day.
Aiyedatiwa’s reaction comes a day after SaharaReporters reported that members of the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s inner circle were perfecting plans to remove him if he failed to resign voluntarily.
Sources close to the deputy governor, who wished to remain anonymous, had however, indicated that Aiyedatiwa, who was in charge all through Akeredolu’s medical treatment abroad, had no intention of resigning before the conclusion of his four-year term.
Meanwhile, in a letter signed by the deputy governor and titled, ‘Re: PURPOTED PRE-SIGNED RESIGNATION LETTER,‘ he said, “My attention has been drawn to a rumour of a purported pre-signed resignation letter, signed by me, being circulated in the public domain.
“I wish to state that I, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State have not, do not intend and will not sign/author any letter resigning my position as the duly elected Deputy Governor in a joint ticket with my principal the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.
“I took an oath the day I was sworn in along with Mr. Governor on February 24th, 2021 to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a four (4) year mandate which terminates in February 23rd, 2025. I remain loyal to my Principal and stand by the oath I took with the Bible to run the full cycle of the four year tenure with Mr. Governor
“To this end urge the people of Ondo State, the State Assembly and the general public to disregard such letter now and in the future. Thank you.”
Aiyedatiwa, who served as acting Governor for about four months while Akeredolu was in an undisclosed German hospital, is reportedly facing threats from influential politicians loyal to the governor, pressuring him to step down or face impeachment.
Top sources had told newsmen that two options had been presented to Aiyedatiwa: to resign voluntarily or face impeachment.
“This divide within the State Executive Council deepened during the governor’s absence. Commissioners who cooperated with Lucky Aiyedatiwa during the governor’s leave have been branded as disloyal to the governor,” one of the sources
A senior government official expressed frustration, stating that the constant threats coming from Ibadan – the current base of Akeredolu, were excessive.
He had said, “The threat to dismiss and reshuffle the cabinet is too much. We have contributed to the government’s success, and we are tired of these daily threats.”
Since Governor Akeredolu’s return from his medical trip, he has been conducting cabinet meetings and governing the state from Ibadan, raising suspicions that only those close to him will retain their positions.