The Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers in Ondo state has punctured the claim by the former finance commissioner, Wale Akinterinwa, that the late governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, endorsed him to succeed him.
It’s Director of Information, Mr. Kayode Fasua, described the claim as “a blatant lie”, in a statement in Akure, the state capital.
Fasua said that ”Akinterinwa is still to recover from the shock of being shown the exit door, considering his lack-lustre performance “
Fasua said, ”it is public knowledge in Ondo State that the late Akeredolu actually wanted Aiyedatiwa to succeed him, considering the latter’s loyalty and diligence.
“It is public knowledge in Ondo State that everywhere Akeredolu went to in company with Aiyedatiwa, he was always raising up Aiyedatiwa’s hand as the man to take over as governor once he finished his second term.
“Even commissioners and others who were in Akeredolu’s cabinet can testify to the fact that the late former Governor was always full of praises for Aiyedatiwa, his deputy, during which he would utter the forsee that ‘this is the next governor of Ondo State.”
Fasua, also described the statement credited to the former finance commissioner that Aiyedatiwa was brought into government by Akeredolu’s wife as “not only ridiculous but also hallucinatory”.
He said, “These are indeed reckless statements borne out of belicosity; to the effect that the dissolution of the state executive council naturally led to his sack as finance commissioner.
“To put the record straight, when Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in 2016, a three-man panel headed by Mrs. Jumoke Anifowoshe-Ajasin, was set up to select a running mate for him, and at the end, Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s name came first on the merit list.
“But for other considerations, Akeredolu dumped the list and picked Mr. Agboola Ajayi who eventually became deputy governor upon their victory.
“However, in 2020, when Akeredolu had issues with Ajayi, he solemnly went and picked the 2016 list which Aiyedatiwa topped, and that was how Aiyedatiwa became his running mate, and ultimately, deputy governor,” Fasua added.
