By John Odunjo
The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, may have ordered the chairmen of the 18 local government areas in the state not to operate their accounts until further notice.
Reports also state that the acting governor told the 33 newly created Local Council Development Areas not to open any accounts until further notice.
In the same vein, Aiyedatiwa has also said that the Chief of Protocol, should step aside pending when the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, would resume from his medical leave.
The Acting Governor said that his Deputy Chief of Staff, Omojuwa Olusegun, will be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
A letter signed by Omojuwa and addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries reads, “The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and Top Government Functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
“The Chief of Protocol would take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr Governor resumes from his medical vacation.”
A source confirmed that a text message to the local councils in Ondo State reads: “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the Acting Governor of Ondo State had directed that 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 caretaker chairman, who preferred anonymity, confirmed the development, saying, “This is worrisome.
“Yes, he has stopped operations on the accounts of the local governments,” he said.
