Akeredolu keeps APC big shots guessing over cabinet

EXACTLY two weeks after the inauguration of the new government in Ondo State,  the new governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), is still keeping members of  the public in suspense over major appointments.

Akeredolu was expected to make some pronouncememts in his inaugural speech, but many politicians were disappointed when he kept mum over the appointment of Secretary to the State Government (SSG),  Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary (CPS).

During the week, however, he announced the appointment of Segun Ajiboye as his CPS, while the waiting game on the other key appointments has continued.

The Alagbaka Government House and Owo country home of the governor have, as a result, been turned to political Mecca for those  of lobbyist while some politicians have reportedly travelled to Abuja to talk to those who could possibly make a case for them or their proxies.

Among those believed by some lobbyists that could influence such appointments in Ondo State, as pointed out by some party members, include Minister of Mineral Resources, Kayode Fayemi;  governor of Ogun State,  Ibikunle Amosun, and a governor from the northern region, who worked  to ensure the emergence of Akeredolu as the governor of the state.

It was gathered that politicians in the state are uncomfortable over the influence of the a camp and have advised Akeredolu to be firm in his decision over appointments in order to avoid precipitating crisis within the party.

Some of the appointments where intensive lobbying by politicians and non-party members are mounting, include the Chief of Staff, SSG,  commissioners for Finance, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Land and Housing, Works, and some parastals and boards.

One of the APC leaders in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “We will not allow people or politicians who were not part of our struggle to be imposed on us. The governor should also resist any influence from outside to prevent any crisis within the party.”

Sunday Tribune, however, gathered that the governor was not bordered by the complaints, as he was taking his time to pick those who could work with him to get positive results.

A source close to the governor informed Sunday Tribune that paucity of funds has prevented the governor from appointing commissioners so far.

The source said,  the dwindling allocation from the Federal Government had been a source of worry to the governor, stressing that the  appointment of commissioners would be an additional burden on the state.

He, however, disclosed that about nine or 10 commissioners might be eventually appointed one from each of the Federal Constituencies in the state, while some ministries would be merged.

Meanwhile, the governor has approved the dissolution of all boards and parastatals in the state.

The Head of Service, Mr Toyin Akinkuotu, on Saturday in Akure, announced the immediate dissolution.

Akinkuotu, through a statement, urged all chairmen, political appointees and non-career employees in all boards and parastatals in the state, to hand over government properties in their custody to the accounting officers in their respective offices.

He, however, said that statutory commissions, whose tenure were specified in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, were exempted from the dissolution.