Richard Olatunde, former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has rebuked incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa over recent remarks regarding succession plans.
Olatunde accused Aiyedatiwa of being deceptive with his claim that Akeredolu had wished him to succeed him, asserting that the relationship between the two was not smooth until Akeredolu’s passing.
The criticism comes in response to Aiyedatiwa’s statement in February, where he asserted his involvement in his predecessor’s legacies and claimed that Akeredolu had expressed a desire for him to succeed as Governor.
However, Olatunde dismissed Aiyedatiwa’s assertions as political maneuvering, cautioning him against exploiting the deceased Governor’s name for political gains.
“This narrative regarding the alleged wish of our late leader… for Governor Aiyedatiwa to succeed him has gone too far to be disregarded,” Olatunde stated in a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday.
“While we acknowledge that the political atmosphere in the state is intensifying, we want to unequivocally state that the late Governor did not anoint or express a desire for Aiyedatiwa to succeed him. On the contrary, the relationship between the late Governor and Governor Aiyedatiwa became strained and distant until his passing,” Olatunde added, as reported by The PUNCH.
Olatunde further highlighted that Akeredolu intentionally kept Aiyedatiwa away from him during his health challenges in Ibadan, expressing disappointment with certain behaviors displayed by Aiyedatiwa.
The former Chief Press Secretary emphasized that Akeredolu’s true intentions were not in alignment with Aiyedatiwa’s aspirations, cautioning the Governor to cease what he referred to as “deceptive tactics” and focus on his campaign.
Olatunde’s remarks underscore a growing tension within Ondo State’s political landscape as stakeholders navigate the upcoming gubernatorial election and potential succession plans following Akeredolu’s passing.
