By Ade Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Government has dismissed reports of a rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Dr Olayide Adelami, saying the alleged N180m unpaid allowance of the Deputy Governor’s office had been settled before the issue became public.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, stated this during an interview with The Hope, describing the relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Adelami as cordial.
Ajanaku said the governor was reportedly surprised when he learnt of the allegation that the entertainment allowance approved for the Deputy Governor’s office had not been released.
According to him, an investigation by the state government established that the money had already been paid nearly three months before the allegation surfaced.
He explained that the delay in reflecting the payment may have resulted from bureaucratic processes within the government system.
Ajanaku added that both the governor and deputy governor had subsequently confirmed that the matter had been resolved.
He said, “If there’s any pair of Governor and Deputy Governor that have a very excellent relationship in the state, it is Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.”
LG funds go directly to councils — Commissioner
The commissioner also addressed concerns over local government financial autonomy following the Supreme Court judgment, insisting that funds meant for the councils in Ondo State were paid directly into their respective accounts.
Ajanaku said the state government retained a supervisory role over local councils but did not control or spend their funds.
He explained that the Joint Account Allocation Committee remained part of the constitutional framework governing the relationship between state and local governments.
According to him, local councils were expected to determine projects that would address the needs of their communities, while the state government could provide oversight and complementary support.
He said the Aiyedatiwa administration had also provided financial interventions to local governments, including an allocation of N100m to each council for developmental activities.
Ajanaku maintained that the state government had no interest in taking over local government funds.
“If there is any local government chairman that says Ondo State Government is spending the money of their local government for them, let him come out and give us evidence,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa will support Tinubu, APC candidates
On allegations that Aiyedatiwa could engage in anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 elections, the commissioner said the governor remained committed to the APC and President Bola Tinubu.
Ajanaku cited Aiyedatiwa’s political history, saying the governor had previously rejected an opportunity to contest for the Senate on the platform of another party after the APC’s leadership took a decision on its senatorial candidates.
He argued that Aiyedatiwa’s conduct demonstrated his commitment to party loyalty.
The commissioner also dismissed claims that the governor “gate-crashed” an APC campaign rally in Idanre attended by the party’s Ondo Central senatorial candidate, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire.
He said the governor was actually responsible for organising the rally.
Ajanaku added that the governor, as the leader of the APC in Ondo State, would support Tinubu and other party candidates in the 2027 elections.
“Let me assure you that Ondo State Government, under the leadership of Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the APC, will support President Bola Tinubu down to the Senate, House of Representatives and to the State House of Assembly,” he said.
‘No rift between Aiyedatiwa, Tunji-Ojo’
Ajanaku also denied reports of a political battle between Aiyedatiwa and the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
He described both men as key APC stakeholders in Ondo State, noting that Aiyedatiwa was the governor and state leader of the party, while Tunji-Ojo was serving as a minister in the Federal Executive Council.
The commissioner said neither politician had publicly disparaged the other and blamed supporters for creating tension where, according to him, none existed.
“Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo also needs to work with the Governor of Ondo State to preserve this state,” he said.
Ajanaku urged supporters of different political leaders and groups within the APC to work together for the success of the party and Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He said the governor would be responsible for coordinating the President’s campaign activities in the state.
Ministry targets rural communities
The commissioner said his ministry was also working to improve the communication of government policies and programmes to residents in rural communities.
He disclosed that plans were underway to use social media, radio and other platforms to reach residents across the state’s 203 wards.
Ajanaku said programmes would soon be broadcast on several radio stations in Yoruba, English, Ilaje and Ijaw to ensure that government information reached a wider audience.
He also highlighted ongoing federal and state projects in Ondo, including the Ibadan-Ilesa-Akure and Ore-Ondo-Akure dualisation projects, as well as the proposed 71-kilometre coastal road.
Aiyedatiwa defends Akure flyover
Ajanaku also defended the construction of the flyover in Akure, saying the project was consistent with the city’s master plan.
He argued that the project was necessary to address traffic congestion and modernise the state capital.
According to him, motorists previously spent significant periods in traffic around the affected area, making the project necessary despite the temporary inconvenience caused by its construction.
He described the flyover as one of the landmark projects of the Aiyedatiwa administration.
The commissioner acknowledged the hardship caused by the construction but said the inconvenience would be temporary compared with the long-term benefits of the project.
Ondo plans intervention on Ayetoro sea incursion
On the recurring sea incursion in Ayetoro, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ajanaku said the state government was in discussions with a company that previously handled a similar project at Bar Beach in Lagos.
He said negotiations were at an advanced stage, with the government working towards signing a memorandum of understanding before the end of the year.
According to him, the proposed intervention would not only address the sea incursion but also involve sand-filling and efforts to modernise the area to support investment.
“The project is on,” he said.
1,000 aides to tackle poverty, improve feedback
Ajanaku also explained the rationale behind Aiyedatiwa’s appointment of about 1,000 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants.
He said the appointments were intended to tackle poverty at the grassroots, give party members a sense of belonging and create a direct channel for government to receive information from communities.
The commissioner said the aides would serve as government representatives in the wards and provide information on security, development projects and other issues affecting residents.
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He added that the appointments were also intended to ensure that the governor and other senior government officials could receive timely information from communities they could not visit regularly.
Ajanaku said the administration would continue to use the structure to take governance closer to residents across Ondo State.
