APC chieftain accuses Aiyedatiwa of planning to undermine Akeredolu by reshuffling cabinet

Sola Ajisafe, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused Lucky Aiyedatiwa, acting governor of Ondo, of allegedly planning to undermine his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Speaking during a radio programme on Adaba 88.9FM in Akure, the state capital, on Wednesday, Ajisafe alleged that Aiyedatiwa is planning to reshuffle the state executive council to favour his supporters.

Last Wednesday, the house of assembly declared Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor of Ondo after pressure from members of the public calling for his recognition.

The decision of the house came after it received the medical leave notification letter from Akeredolu.

Akeredolu has been absent from Ondo since June on health grounds.

Reacting to the development, the lawyer said the constitution does not empower the acting governor to reshuffle the cabinet, adding that the alleged plan is a breach of the 1999 constitution.

Ajisafe claimed that he was informed that Oladunni Odu, the secretary to the state government (SSG), would be redeployed to the ministry of commerce, while Wale Akinterinwa, the commissioner for finance, would be transferred to the ministry of culture and tourism.

“Section 190 of the Constitution did not give the deputy governor the power to reshuffle the cabinet,” Ajisafe said.

“The section gives the acting governor the right to act on behalf of the governor not to override the decisions of the governor. There can’t be two governors at the same time.”

He accused the acting governor of allegedly sponsoring protests calling for the resignation of Akeredolu.