Ondo Acting Governor Suspends Akeredolu’s Chief Protocol Officer, Freezes LG’s Accounts

By Damilare Adeleye

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ondo State acting Governor, has suspended the Chief of Protocol to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Bola Alabi, and replaced him with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Olusegun Omojuwa.

The state government said Alabi would return to his duty post when the governor returns from the medical vacation in Germany.

This was made known in a circular titled “Preparation of the acting governor’s engagements” sent to all the concerned departments in the state government by Omojuwa.

It read, “The acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor will be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.

“The Chief of Protocol (Mr Bola Alabi) will take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr Governor resumes from his medical vacation.

“Kindly take note for your guidance and co-operation from time to time.”

The acting governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has also frozen the accounts of the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

It was also reported that Aiyedatiwa has warned the newly created LCDA not to open new accounts.

This is coming after Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is currently on medical leave transferred power to him some days back.

In a fresh development, Aiyedatiwa sent a letter to all local councils halting all financial activities.

The letter reads, “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the Acting Governor of Ondo State had directed that all spending/ expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.

“Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”

One of the caretaker chairmen who anonymously confirmed it, noted that the development was worrisome.

“Yes, he has blocked account of the local government. We don’t know why he’s doing that now,” the source said.

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