Ondo cabinet dissolution: How sacked commissioners beg to be celebrated

Some of the immediate past Commissioners in Ondo State are begging their ministry staff to organise sent-forth for them after their sack by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

They are doing so to give impression of good performance while in office and also to curry the favour of Aiyedatiwa,Thefrontfrank learnt.

Aiyedatiwa, had on Wednesday, dissolved the State Executive Council, and the commissioners were asked to handover to the permanent secretary in their respective ministry.

The dissolution of the cabinet caught many of the commissioners unaware as there was no any inkling to the effect.

One of the Commissioners, who was in transit, had to call his personal assistant to remove his personal belongings from his office.

Thefrontfrank learnt that some of the commissioners are pleading with some “loyal staff” in their ministry to arrange sent-forth for them after the report on the extolment of the former Commissioner for Energy, Engineer Razaq Obe, by the staff of the ministry.

It was learnt that some of the Commissioners have offered to fund their sent-forth, while some have earmarked enormous resources to organise rally to be celebrated.

One of the commissioners was said to have given money to allies in his ministry for gifts and entertainment during the sent-forth.

A staff in one of the affected ministries, who simply identified himself as Adekunle, said: “Immediately some of commissioners read how Rasak Obe was celebrated in his ministry, they started subtle moves to get loyal staff to also celebrate them.

“For instance, in our ministry, the former Commissioner pleaded with some staff that benefitted from him while in office, on how to organise sent-forth for him and be celebrated.

“In fact, one of my colleagues in the office called to tell me that the money that will cover the gifts and entertainment has been sent by the commissioner, but I simply told him I’m not interested in arranged celebration.

“The organisers begged many of us just to attend the ceremony and take photographs which I refused to do.

“Funny enough, I learnt one of the sacked commissioners sent money to a staff he believed was close to him while in office, but the guy seized the money and refused to organise the sent-forth.”

A senior civil servant in the state who pleaded anonymity said the dissolution of the state executive council caught many of the commissioners unaware.

“Many of the Commissioners didn’t believe the music can stop abruptly. Today, they have gone, leaving them with their shadows.

“Some of the Commissioners will find it difficult to visit their ministry after their exit. What is important in life is that whatever position you occupy, always treat people well,” he said.

Unfortunately, the former Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir Charles Titiloye, had no opportunity to be celebrated as he was booed out of office by the staff of the ministry.

Titiloye, while trying to leave his office shortly after the dissolution of the cabinet, met hundreds of workers who insulted and mocked him over his alleged highhandedness during his stay in office.

The bewildered Titiloye was whisked away by police operatives who were mobilised to the ministry after the tyres of his official car were deflated by the angry workers.