Members of the Ondo State Executive Council have described the reported planned defection of some of them from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to other political parties as utter falsehood.
In a statement by the Information and Orientation Commissioner, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, they said the story was “planted by enemies of this government who have resorted to cheap blackmail to distract a performing Governor and his officials.”
The said report had named specific members of the cabinet who were already purportedly on their way out of the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration to pursue their individual political ambition outside the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. At least, 11 of them were reported to be moving out of the cabinet. The commissioners especially, were reported to be displeased with the alleged overbearing influence of the special advisers over them in the running of their respective ministries.
But Olowolabi said that the report was untrue saying: “Our attention has been drawn to a report in the social media space, suggesting that some members of the Ondo State Executive Council are planning to resign their positions to either contest for an elective position or defect to other political parties.
“We find it imperative to set the record straight due to the sensitive nature of the report, as it bothers on the unity and cordial working relationship between the governor and his cabinet members.
“While we are convinced that the said story was planted by enemies of this government who have resorted to cheap blackmail to distract a performing governor and his officials, it’s also instructive to quickly open the eyes of the public to see the nakedness of the falsehood and concocted stories planted by enemies of progress to cause disaffection within the government officials and the APC family in the state.
“In a democratic setting, political aspirations are normal. Ondo State is not an exemption. But we are proud to say that this aspirations have not resulted into any form of wrangling in our cabinet as every member remain fiercely loyal to our boss, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and irrevocably committed to his vision.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Governor enjoys excellent working relationship with, not only members of his cabinet, but also with the leaders of the party in the state, a cheery situation that has engendered development and peace in the state.
“Let the purveyor of this wicked lie know that no amount of provocation will ever make this administration to lose focus from its avowed determination to leave the state better than it met it.
“We urge the good people of Ondo State to disregard this deliberate falsehood and treat it for what it is, a mischievous lie that is concocted by the enemies to cause disaffection within the ranks of the Akeredolu-led administration”
