Aiyedatiwa freezes Ondo local council accounts

The Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has frozen the accounts of the local government administrations in the state.

He took over as acting governor after Akeredolu travelled abroad for another round of medical check-ups during the week.

Before the development, Aiyedatiwa had been involved in a running battle with his boss and the state House of Assembly, which initiated a move to impeach him for alleged gross misconduct in September.

He took the decision a few weeks after Akeredolu appointed caretaker chairmen for 18 local government areas and the 33 local council development areas in the state.

In a memo signed by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, the acting governor also banned the council chairmen from opening new accounts.

It was addressed to the heads of local government administrations in the state and seen by journalists on Saturday.

The memo read: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency, the Acting Governor of Ondo State, has directed that all spending and expenditure from local government accounts should be suspended, with no signing of checks, no change of signatories, and no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.

“Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”

Meanwhile, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the last general election, Omoyele Sowore, on Saturday demanded the resignation of the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

READ ALSO: Ondo Assembly declares Aiyedatiwa acting Governor

Sowore, who spoke at a town hall meeting in Akure, said it has become necessary to rescue the state from the few individuals allegedly siphoning the resources of the state.

He also challenged the state House of Assembly to show the world the letter purportedly written by Akeredolu for the medical leave to confirm that it was not forged.

Sowore said he was not in the state because of next year’s governorship election but to demand for good governance for the citizens.

He also decried how Akeredolu clinged to power and received security votes despite his health challenges.

The activist, however, blamed the people for their silence over the political crisis which has stalled development in the state.

Akeredolu, who returned to the country after a three-month medical vacation in Germany in September, operated from his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The development caused uproar in the state with many, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and civil society groups demanding the governor’s resignation on account of ill health.

He returned to Europe for another round of medical check-ups and handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on December 13.

Sowore said: “We have tolerated this nonsense for too long in Ondo State.

“As we wrap up the year, we discover that we just have to intervene in the current crisis in the state. This crisis has been going on for more than one year now.

“They can’t show you any letter from the governor because the man is not fit to sign any document at the moment. There is no letter anywhere.”

He later urged Aiyedatiwa to be above board and ensure the people felt the impact of governance in the next few months.

The activist added: “So, it’s not about if Akeredolu resigns or resumes but about giving ourselves the sense that whoever we are appointing into political offices are those with our interest at heart.