The hunt for a deputy is underway as Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State explores options for potential candidates.
The much-anticipated announcement of Aiyedatiwa’s deputy is scheduled for next week, following careful consultations with President Bola Tinubu to ensure a well-considered decision.
Credible information gathered by Africa Today News, New York, suggests that the governor is inclining towards the central senatorial district as he considers candidates for his deputy.
Insider reports indicate that Aiyedatiwa is leaning towards Razaq Obe as his choice, with the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources being the favored candidate.
However, many of the party leaders are against him, alleging that he’s desperate and may rock the boat with time.
Obe’s appointment as commissioner came about through the recommendation of Betty Akeredolu, the late governor’s wife.
It has been reported that Sunday Abegunde, the former Secretary to the State Government and a previous member of the National Assembly, is the favored choice of party leaders in the state.
Abegunde, a close associate of President Tinubu, was recently named the Executive Director of Corporate Services at the Niger Delta Development Commission Commission, NDDC.
It’s worth noting that Obe, a close associate of Aiyedatiwa, was the commissioner who brought attention to the alleged forgery of the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’s signature by certain influential figures.
Obe and Abegunde share a common origin in the central senatorial district.
Obe, in an official letter written to Aiyedatiwa when he was the acting governor, said that the ‘signature of Mr. Governor on a certain document has been forged’.
Sources said that Obe would be compensated for the role he played by blowing the whistle against the supposed cabals in Akeredolu’s administration.
Read also: Ondo: Sunset For Akeredolu, New Dawn For Aiyedatiwa
However, there are party leaders who insist that Aiyedatiwa should choose his deputy from the northern senatorial district, which is the birthplace of the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.
As relayed by certain leaders in discussions with Vanguard, this decision is intended to pay homage to Akeredolu and fulfill the remainder of his term.
However, staunch supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa insist that the Speaker’s role should transition to the northern senatorial district, while the deputy governor’s post should be assigned to the central senatorial district.
A party leader, who spoke with newsmen, said that ‘we as leaders can only suggest to the governor, the final decision lies with him.’
‘The governor has the final say. He alone knows who can work with him.’
‘But for fairness, we’ll prefer that the governor looks towards the northern senatorial district to honour our late governor Akeredolu.’
An aide to the governor, speaking with newsmen, stated that the party’s involvement would be a determining factor in the choice of the deputy governor.
‘I want to assure our people that the governor is a team player. All stakeholders would be carried along when the decision is to be taken.’
‘The person to be chosen as the deputy governor would be agreed upon by all stakeholders in our party.’
‘We can’t afford to make any mistake in our choice of the deputy governor. The governorship election is ahead,’ the aide said.