Ikale Youths accuse Ayedatiwa of nepotism in appointments

A group under the aegis of Concerned Ikale Youths (CIY), has accused Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State of being nepotistic and unjust in steering the affairs of the state, alleging that most appointments in his government were allocated to his local government.

The group threatened to work against Governor Aiyedatiwa at the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary scheduled for April, 2024.

CIY, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Egbuwalo Olumide, and the Secretary, Omosaye Aiyenitaju, premised its decision to thwart Aiyedatiwa’s ambition on his alleged lopsided appointments.

The group also vowed that should Aiyedatiwa sail through the party primary, it would not be a bed of roses for him at the November 16 governorship election.

CIY, in the statement, alleged that out of the 16 Permanent Secretaries Governor Aiyedatiwa appointed on Tuesday, five were from Ilaje Local Government despite the fact that the State Head of Service, Bayo Philip, is also from Ilaje.

The group observed that Governor Aiyedatiwa did not appoint anybody into his cabinet from Okitipupa Local Government, neither did he appoint any permanent secretary in the recent appointment despite the array of qualified civil servants from the Local Government.

The statement reads: “Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s chances of emerging as the Governor of Ondo State are in doubt due to his biased appointments, particularly evident in his recent cabinet and Permanent Secretary appointments.

“His failure to include representatives from Okitipupa Local Government, the largest in Ikale, in his cabinet appointments, and the disproportionate allocation of positions to his own Ilaje Local Government without thinking of other LGAs in Ondo State, is worrisome and a source of concern.

“As it stands, Ilaje is in charge of afforestation (Shina Nejo), they have the head of service, (Mr Bayo Philip), five of the newly appointed permanent secretaries, Igbekele Jatuwase; Ayodele, O.F; Omomowo, F.A; Asonja, F.O; and Dr. Bayo Ilawole are from Ilaje. His Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, is from Ilaje. His Chief Protocol, Barr Asonja George, is from Ilaje.

“The new Commissioner for Education, Dr. Olawunmi Egbayelo-Ilawole, is from Ilaje. More than half of his special assistants and personal assistants are all from Ilaje. Even all the recently appointed SA Media, majority of them are from his local government, Ilaje.

“This is not acceptable! How can a governor constitute a cabinet without a single person from Okitipupa? In a state of 18 LGs, how can a governor appoint 16 Permanent Secretaries and five are from his LGA? With the Head of Service inclusive, they will become six.

“The over concentration of key appointments in Ilaje Local Government, coupled with the retention of significant positions like the State Chief Judge, NDDC, and OSOPADEC, raises suspicion of an agenda to dominate other local government areas.

“This departure from the leadership style of former Governor Olusegun Agagu is not welcomed by Ondo South residents, who seek a more inclusive and equitable government.

“The Governor will colonize other LGAs if he is not resisted as we approach the state governorship election.

“It is true we long yearn to produce the governor from the south but this is not the type of leadership style we pray for”.