Richard Olatunde, the former Chief Press Secretary to the late Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has refuted claims made by the current governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
News About Nigeria reported in February that Aiyedatiwa said he was part of Akeredolu’s legacy and claimed that the late governor had wished for him to succeed him as governor.
In a statement released to journalists on Tuesday, Olatunde clarified that the late governor never expressed a wish for Aiyedatiwa to take over as governor after him.
He cautioned Aiyedatiwa against exploiting the name of the deceased governor for political gain.
Olatunde said that the relationship between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa had become strained and distant until the former’s passing.
“This narrative regarding the alleged wish of our late leader and father figure, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for Governor Aiyedatiwa to succeed him has gone too far to be disregarded.
“This narrative began even before our leader was laid to rest. Out of respect and utmost reverence for our late governor, we chose not to engage with those spreading this narrative.
“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 said.
He alleged that Aiyedatiwa’s conduct during Akeredolu’s health challenges had disappointed and regretted the late governor, leading to their strained relationship.
Speaking on a video circulating during the swearing-in ceremony of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, Olatunde said that while Akeredolu had high hopes for Aiyedatiwa initially, events later took a different turn, leading to disappointment and betrayal.
Concluding the statement, Olatunde cautioned Aiyedatiwa to refrain from what he termed “deceptive tactics” and focus on his campaign.
He mentioned that Akeredolu’s loyal followers, including members of his family, do not support Aiyedatiwa’s aspiration to secure the party’s ticket.
