Five commissioners and three aides of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu have resigned their appointment with the Ondo state government to enable them contest in the 2019 general elections.
Daily Trust learnt that the governor had in a letter last Friday ordered all political appointees in his government seeking elective positions to resign on or before Monday, September 17.
Some of those affected include the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Omowumi Olatunji, who is bidding to contest the Akure South/North federal constituency seat; the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Donald Ojogo, who has obtained form for the House of Representatives seat for Ilaje/Eseodo federal constituency; the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Timehin Adelegbe, who is seeking to represent Owo/Ose federal constituency at the House of Reps.
Others are former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and federal commissioner, Hon. Victor Olabimtan; the Special Adviser to Governor on Rural and Community Development, who is seeking the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s ticket for Ondo North Senatorial district; the Commissioner for Agriculture, Otunba Gboyega Adefarati, who wants to represent Akoko Southwest/Southeast federal constituency.
Also affected are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye and the Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Austin Pelemo, who want to seek the party’s ticket for Akoko Northeast/Northwest federal constituency and Ondo East/West federal constituency respectively.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Segun Ajiboye, the state government said: “Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has directed that members of the State Executive Council and political appointees who have obtained nomination forms to contest for political offices in the 2019 general elections must vacate their seats.
Ajiboye stated that a circular signed by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, stated that the governor, on behalf of the good people of the state, expressed his deepest appreciation to political appointees affected by the directive for their contributions and services to the state.
Our correspondent however learnt that the list may still increase as those who are yet to make up their minds may do so on or before the deadline.
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