The governor and deputy governor of Ondo State, Nigeria, are involved in a situation that is highlighted by Johnson Alabi, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Liberation Movement. He disclosed that in the governor’s absence, the deputy governor filled in as acting governor. However, even after the official transfer of duties to the deputy governor, the governor persisted in exercising authority over commissioners and other state officials, thereby retaining control over the state’s operations.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV, Alabi revealed that a week ago, the commissioner for information in Ondo State claimed in an interview with Arise TV that some of the deputy governor’s aides had posted the obituary of the governor on their social media statuses. He suggested a significant and potentially disrespectful action by the deputy governor’s aides, which may have contributed to tension between the governor and his deputy.
According to him, “The governor has been sick, as you’re aware. He’s been ill for sometime, and if you put together this year, the number of months that the governor has been away, it’ll be probably up to about 8 months, and the governor has been away while the deputy governor was acting for the governor. The governor was in Germany and still there, giving instructions to commissioners, giving instructions even though he has officially handed over to his deputy. So the deputy was more or less a ceremonial acting governor without portfolio, without anything coming to his table because the governor was still dictating the affairs of the state while he was off. And just about a week ago, the commissioner for information in Ondo State was granted an interview by Arise TV, where she claimed that some of the aides of the deputy governor posted on their status the obituary of Mr. Governor, and that was the reason for the battle between the governor and his deputy. ”
