Ondo State Commissioner for Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Adegboyega Adefarati, may resign from government today in line with the directive of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, that political office holders interested in seeking elective offices through the forthcoming 2023 elections, should resign their appointments latest by Thursday, April 14.
Government had in a circular issued on Tuesday and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, given the appointees with eyes on elective offices till Thursday to turn in their letters of resignation.
Adefarati, son of the first governor of the state in the current democratic dispensation, the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati, is interested in contesting election into the seat of Akoko South East and South West federal constituency in the House of Representatives on the APC platform.
He will slug it out with a former Special Adviser to the Governor on Regional and Diaspora Matters, Dr Victor Ategbole, who resigned last week Thursday. Ategbole is also eyeing the same seat.
Also, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, tendered his letter of resignation, which was dated April 12, 2022, to the Governor, on Tuesday through the Secretary to the State Government.
In the letter, Ojogo thanked the Governor for the opportunity given him to serve the state and said it was a delight working with Akeredolu from whom he has garnered tremendous experience and knowledge.
He wrote in part:“Your inspiring courage is legendary but your compassion, fearless and sincerity of purpose and honesty are uncommon attributes of a politician. These are enduring virtues available for whoever had a working encounter with you to deploy as beacon in the journey of life.”
Ojogo is eyeing the Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the APC platform.
Also likely to throw in the towel is the Chairman of ONDIPA, Mr Boye Oyewumi; Special Adviser on Rural Development, Babatunde Kolawole; and Chairman, State Information Agency, SITA, Olumbe Akinkugbe among others
Odu said the resignation order was in compliance with the amended electoral law recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Section 84 of the electoral bill stipulates that “anyone holding a political office – ministers, commissioners, special advisers and others – must relinquish the position before they can be eligible to participate in the electoral process either as a candidate or as a delegate . ‘
According to the memo: “As you are aware, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency ,Gen Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has signed the amended Electoral bill Into Law and the independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has released guidelines on the conduct of the in impending general elections thereby signaling the commencement of intense political activities both at the Federal and State levels:
“Consequently, and In line with the provision of section 84 (12) of the electoral act, 2022.
“Political and public office holders desirous of participating in the political process either as a contestant for elective positions or as delegate should resign their appointments on or before Thursday. 14th April 2022.
“This is for your Information and strict compliance, pIease.”
President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 25, 2022, signed the Electoral Act, Amendment Bill into law.
The Bill was signed into law after it has suffered protracted delay and setbacks both from the Presidency and the National Assembly, particularly on the provision of the Bill which relates to mandatory direct primaries.
Nigerians commended the bill and described it as quite innovative provision of the Act thatwill effectively checkmate political appointees who believe that the electoral college is their exclusive preserve.
