Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Monday debunked an alleged rift between him and his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami.
The governor, in a statement by his spokesman in the Deputy Governor’s office, John Akinduro, said that contrary to the report, he and his deputy share an abiding bond and mutual respect.
The statement, titled “Re: Aiyedatiwa Denies Deputy Access to Lodge Over Political Struggle”, said:
“We just read in utmost bewilderment a blatant falsehood on the purported ‘political struggle’ between the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayide Adelami, mni, and his principal, His Excellency Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, as published in Sahara Reporters, a news platform well reputed for yellow journalism and crass reportage.
“For the sake of well-meaning residents and lovers of Ondo state, Dr Adelami and his boss share an abiding bond and mutual respect, so significant that detractors had to make up this lie to create public mistrust and satisfy their ungodly appetite. Dr Adelami has often demonstrated that his loyalty to his principal remains absolute.
“We must state categorically that the deputy governor does not stay in a ‘ramshackle hotel’ and was never, at any time, denied access to his lodge. These lies only exist in the imagination of the anti-democratic elements peddling such.
“Recall that Mr Governor, on assuming office, decided to face-lift the official residence of the deputy governor. As we write, the lodge is ready.
“In point of fact, the deputy governor, either in public or private, speaks glowingly of his principal for his unwavering commitment to democratic ideals, and his amiable disposition.
“We therefore, ask that peddlers of tales of division and hatred eschew bitterness and join hands with the forward-thinking government of His Excellency, Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, a man helped by God to actualize the Ondo state of our dreams.”
