Political appointees in Ondo State, particularly the newly appointed Caretaker Committee Chairmen of the 18 local governments and the 33 33 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), have been gripped by fear as Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa consolidates his hold on power.

He has already directed the LG bosses to stop all expenditure until further notice.

The Caretaker Committee Chairmen were appointed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who is currently on medical leave.

Ayedatiwa, The Nation gathered, had sent a text message to the Caretaker Committee Chairmen saying “ 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.”

A senior government official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the acting governor took the action in conformity with a subsisting court order on the swearing-in of the caretaker chairmen.

“The caretaker chairmen can’t sign any document for now because there is a court order on the issue of the local governments, so if they sign any document now, that would be a contempt of court,” the official said.

“As at now, they have not been given any confirmation or directive to attend to any official matter. It is until the court order is vacated that they can function officially. The acting governor didn’t freeze the council’s account, it’s not true.”

However, another source said Aiyedatiwa could sack the Caretaker Chairmen on the basis of the court order which stopped their inauguration by the state government.

The court Injunction was secured by the Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, the LG bosses were asked to assume duties on the ground that they had been sworn-in during screening by the State House of Assembly.

A source said Aiyedatiwa was not happy that he was not consulted or asked to make an input during the process that led to the emergence of the appointees.

A close ally of Aiyedatiwa said the acting governor needed to consolidate his hold on power ahead of the April governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A Caretaker Chairman who confirmed the freezing of expenditure by the LGs said it might affect workers’ celebration this yuletide season.

He described the development as worrisome.

“Yes, he has blocked the accounts of the local governments,” the source said.

“He (Ayedatiwa) is doing it to make the Caretaker Chairmen fall in line ahead of the party primaries next year.”

The restriction on the expenditure of the LGs order came on the heels of the suspension of Mr.Bola Alabi, Chief of Protocol to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, by the acting governor.

Alabi was immediately replaced by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Olusegun Omojuwa who is now responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.

Ayedatiwa took over the administration of the state following the medical leave of Governor Akeredolu.

A university lecturer, Dr. Gbenga Abimbola, said Ayedatiwa cannot work in isolation and should “consult his boss if he has access.”

He said: “The law allows him to take certain decisions. He is exercising the office of the Governor on behalf of Akeredolu, so he can take far reaching decisions.”

A chieftain of the APC who pleaded anonymity said Aiyedatiwa only wanted to ensure financial discipline by the Lgs.

“The people felt that that cabal was having a field day with the LG funds.Although we need money to celebrate Christmas, it is better that the proper thing is done first.”

Ondo Commissioner in the Oil and Gas Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC) Kehinde Akinrotoye, said:”He is fully in charge now and in control of this state. The issue of the cabal is no more.”

Another APC chieftain, Kunle Segun Odidi, said Aiyedatiwa would not derail from the vision of Governor Akeredolu but would add more value towards the good of the state.

On the Caretaker Chairmen, he said, “The swearing in conducted for the Caretaker Committee was illegal. There is a court order that said the committee should not be inaugurated. You cannot build something on nothing. If Aiyedatiwa is a product of the rule of law, he should follow the law. I do not expect him to be doing something ultra vires.” (The Nation)

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