Ondo political group dismisses claims of debt, impeachment plot against Adelami

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Professionals in Politics Group has dismissed allegations that Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami is being owed about N180m in official entitlements, describing the claim as part of an attempt to create tension within the state government.

The group also rejected reports of a growing rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, as well as claims that Adelami was being politically isolated or gradually stripped of his official responsibilities.

In a statement issued in Akure on Tuesday, the group’s State Coordinator, Ayodele Akinlabi, said its findings showed that the Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac, had been performing her duties in accordance with existing financial and budgetary procedures.

“Our investigations revealed that the claim that over N180m in running expenses, travelling allowances and other statutory entitlements owed to the Deputy Governor have remained unpaid for about eight months is unfounded and unverifiable,” Akinlabi stated.

The group also dismissed allegations that Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, had deliberately bypassed the deputy governor in the affairs of his ministry, saying the commissioner was acting in accordance with directives from the governor.

It equally said records available to it did not support claims that the Finance Commissioner had withheld Adelami’s statutory entitlements, urging those spreading the allegations to stop using unverified information to create friction within the administration.

“There is no plot to impeach the deputy governor, contrary to the speculations circulating on social media. We urge members of the public to disregard the misinformation,” the group said.

Furthermore, the group said it would not support what it described as attempts by unnamed political actors to distract the Aiyedatiwa administration, urging the government to remain focused on delivering its programmes and development initiatives to the people of Ondo State.