In a stunning new twist, Ondo governor disowns aide’s statement, denies insulting Gani Adams and Yinka Odumakin
A statement credited to Rotimi Akeredolu via one of his aides Doyin Odebowale reportedly insulting 2 Yoruba leaders has been disowned by the Ondo state governor
- Governor Rotimi Akeredolu stated that he had never asked Doyin Odebowale to represent him, not to talk of making such comments
- Akeredolu claimed to have been represented at the said programme by the secretary to the state government (SSG), Ifedayo Abegunde
- Doyin Odubowale responded to the governor’s claim, stating that he had a constitutional right to make contributions to national debates
A statement credited to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, via one of his aides, Doyin Odebowale, has been disowned by the governor, reports state.
Odebowale who is the governor’s senior special assistant on special duties, had reportedly insulted 2 prominent Yoruba leaders, Gani Adams and Yinka Odumakin, who were delegates to the 2014 National Conference.
Akeredolu had allegedly stated through Odebowale, that Yinka Odumakin, spokesperson for the pan-Yoruba group Afenifere, had never achieved anything in his life apart for the fact that he was a mere former reporter at Punch newspapers.
The governor had also allegedly referred to Gani Adams, the leader of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), as a mere carpenter and thug.
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However, Akeredolu stated that he never asked Odebowale to represent him; let alone making such utterances.
The governor responded via a statement signed by Segun Ajiboye, his chief press secretary.
It read: “The attention of the Ondo State government has been drawn to a news report which claimed that the state governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, made some disparaging remarks about some Yoruba leaders and a paramount ruler in the state
“It must be noted that the governor was represented at the said programme by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon Ifedayo Abegunde.
“No other person could have spoken on behalf of the governor and nobody did.
“I wish to make it clear that the governor, a gentleman with deep respect for culture and traditions did not at any time abuse or cast aspersions on anybody.”
However, in a post on social media, Odebowale responded in part: “I have been inundated with calls and messages on what I said at a programme organized by NAOSS, the umbrella body for Ondo State students.
“I proceed to assert, without fear, my right as a citizen of this country to contribute to debates in Nigeria. I have no personal issues with anyone.
“I am not unaware of the frustration of some professional students who had written to the government for financial assistance without success.
"I suspect that those behind this diabolical scheme are the same characters who wrote fraudulent proposals and offered funny awards to a governor who has not spent six months in office”.
“I did not call Gani Adams and Yinka Odumakin thieves.
“I simply expressed my opinion on my inalienable right to be consulted before serious decisions, such as secession of my space from Nigeria, are taken."
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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo state, threw a tantrum and insulted two prominent Yoruba leaders who were delegates at the 2014 National Conference.
The governor reportedly took a swipe at the coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) Gani Adams, and the spokesperson of the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin.
Akeredolu reportedly described Gani Adams as a mere carpenter who became successful through thuggery, and stated that Odumakin had never done any other thing in his life apart from being a former mere reporter at Punch.
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