Contrary to the news making the rounds that some members of the Ondo State Executive Council were planning to defect from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to other political parties, the State Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi has described the rumour as untrue.
The Deputy Governor gave the clarification while addressing Government House Reporters before the commencement of proceedings of the state weekly Executive Council meeting held at the Governor’s office in Akure.
According to a statement by a Press Officer to the Governor, Mr Bode Akinwumi, the Deputy Governor said that the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ondo State was intact and one united family, waxing stronger everyday.
“I’m not aware that anyone among us here is envisaging or planning to leave the party for another, I’m very certain that no one is thinking about that.
“It’s constitutional for anyone to contest in any election, it is one of the beauty of democracy, APC, is a party where no one dictates to another.
“We will allow the masses, even at the grassroots level to chose who will represent them at the various levels of elective positions during elections.
“So, if anyone is willing to resign to contest for any elective position ahead of any election, that is a different issue, rather than some people peddling rumours that some appointees of the State Government are planing to defect from APC to another party”, he said.
The statement said: “He however asked members of the State Executive Council if there was anyone willing to leave the ruling APC for another political party and none of them signified.
“Hon Agboola Ajayi further hinted that the APC family in Ondo State was one, saying that the party members, members of cabinet and all other appointees were happy with the leadership style of the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, who is doing his best at moving the state forward.
“After the expiration of the Akeredolu-led administration in Ondo State, we are certain that we will leave the state better than we met it”, he assured.
It said that at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, the Deputy Governor in an interview with reporters described the rumour that Governor Akeredolu went on vacation without properly notifying Ondo State House of Assembly as baseless and false.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform you that before Governor Akeredolu went on holidays, the normal channel of communication was observed.
“A letter was written to the Ondo State House of Assembly, notifying them of the Governor’s holiday, adding that the Deputy Governor will be carrying out the State Governor’s assignments which is the normal procedure.
“I’m baffled hearing rumours that the Governor travelled out of the country without officially handing over to his deputy, this is not true.
“I have been carrying out all of the Governor’s assignments since he travelled out and nothing has stopped. Everything is going on as expected and everywhere has remained peaceful”, he stated.
