Barely 72 hours after assuming office as the acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has temporarily suspended Bola Alabi, the chief of protocol to ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
This came after Mr Aiyedatiwa was declared as the state’s acting governor by the House of Assembly following a fresh medical vacation embarked upon by Mr Akeredolu, who had been battling with an underlying health challenge for more than a year.
In a circular issued in Akure, the state capital at the weekend, Mr Aiyedatiwa replaced Mr Alabi with the deputy chief of protocol, Olusegun Omojuwa. He is to take over government engagement in all the departments and agencies pending the governor’s return.
Peoples Gazette obtained a copy of the circular titled, ‘Preparation of the acting governor’s engagements.’
According to the circular, Mr Alabi will resume his duty post when the governor returns from his medical vacation in Germany.
“The acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor will be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
“The Chief of Protocol (Mr Bola Alabi) will take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr Governor resumes from his medical vacation.
“Kindly take note for your guidance and co-operation from time to time,” the circular read.
Earlier, before Mr Aiyedatiwa assumed office in an acting capacity, there had been pressure on Mr Akeredolu to resign from office due to his ill health.
The governor’s long absence from the state had led to a political quagmire as cabinet members fought dirty to gain control of power.
Folarin Kehinde is an Abuja-based journalist with over 5 years of experience in journalism. His work has earned him national and international recognition across various beats, including environment, health and politics.
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