About eight Special Assistants and Advisers to former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu have resigned their respective appointments, few hours after the new governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, took over the reins of power.
The first to bow out of office was the Chief Press Secretary to late governor Akeredolu, Mr Richard Olatunde, who cited personal reasons for his sudden action.
Among the latest is Dare Aragbaiye, who before now served as special adviser to the late governor on Union Matters and Special Duties.
His resignation letter with reference GHP/FS/858/41 dated December 27, 2023 was submitted and received by the Secretary to the State Government, Governor’s Office at Alagbaka in Akure.
It is titled “Resignation of Appointment as Special Adviser, Union Matters and Special Duties” and reads in part: ”I write to refer to the subject above and to resign my appointment as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties with effect from today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023.
“My decision to resign is based on the unfortunate death of my Principal, a fearless and honest leader, Governor Arakunrin, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, whom Iam loyal to even in death.
“I sincerely thank His Excellency for the opportunity granted me to serve in his administration as a member of the State Executive Council, first as Head of Service and now Special Adviser.”
DAILY POST learnt that the decisions of Akeredolu’s aides to voluntarily bow out of offices might not be unconnected with the political differences between the former and the new governor.
At the peak of the irreconcilable differences, Akeredolu had dissolved the Press Unit of his deputy over the alleged persistent leakages of information on the deplorable state of his health then.
Akeredolu’s aides were said to have taken sides with their principal and remained loyal to him until his death in Germany yesterday.
Sources said that they took the path of honour to avoid being humiliated out of office by the new governor.