Nation

Ondo gets Acting Accountant General

The Ondo state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointment of Orisabinone. O. as the Acting Accountant General of the state.

Thefrontrank reports that Orisabinone’s appointment was contained in a circular dated March 5, 2024 signed by the Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip.

Orisabinone, an indigene of Ilaje Local Government Area of the state, will take over from the substantive Accountant General of the State, Mrs Esther Toyin Oni.

Mrs Oni was appointed as the state Accountant General on April 12, 2021 by the late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

According to the circular, Orisabinone, a Director of Accounts in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, moves to the office of the Accountant General as the Acting Accountant General of the state.

“All handover formalities should be completed within one week from the date of this posting,” the circular stated.

The circular was, however, silent on the new schedule and responsibility for Mrs Oni, and the Ministry she was deployed to.

Thefrontrank gathered that the discreet appointment of Orisabinone was to prevent public outcry over the alleged nepotistic act of Governor Aiyedatiwa, who is being accused of allocating key appointments to Ilaje Local Government.

Thefrontrank reports that within two months of the new administration in the state, Ilaje Local Government has following key appointments;

  1. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa
  2. Segun Omojuwa, Chief of Staff to the Governor
  3. Dr Olawunmi Egbayelo-Ilawole, Commissioner for Education
  4. Mr Bayo Philip, Head of Service
  5. F. A. Asonja, Permanent Secretary, Govt. House and Protocol
    6 O. Orisabinone, Acting Accountant General
  6. George Asonja( F.A. Asonja’ son), Chief Protocol to the Governor.
  7. O. F. Ayodele, Permanent Secretary, Service Matters Department.
  8. F. A. Omomowo, Permanent Secretary, Department of Public Service Reform.
  9. Igbekele Jatuwase, Permanent Secretary
    11 Shina Nejo, In-Charge of Afforestation.

On Tuesday, a group under the aegis of Concerned Ikale Youths (CIY), accused Governor Aiyedatiwa 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, Ilaje.

The group in a statement jointly signed by its President, Egbuwalo Olumide, and the Secretary, Omosaye Aiyenitaju, berated Governor Aiyedatiwa over alleged lopsided appointments.

It alleged that out of the 16 Permanent Secretaries recently appointed, five were from Ilaje Local Government despite the fact that the State Head of Service, Bayo Philip, is also from Ilaje.

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. George Asonja, 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 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”.