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Four Commissioners, Two Special Advisers Resign From Akeredolu’s Cabinet To Contest 2019 Polls

September 16, 2018

The aides — four commissioners and two special advisers — have expressed their interest to contest for seats in the National Assembly in their various constituencies.

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Barely forty-eight hours after directing members of his cabinet to turn in their resignation letters if they have obtained forms to contest in the 2019 elections, six persons have resigned their positions, SaharaReporters learnt on Sunday. 

The aides — four commissioners and two special advisers — have expressed their interest to contest for seats in the National Assembly in their various constituencies.

They are Donald Ojogo, Commissioner for Lands and Housing; Gboyega Adefarati, the Commissioner for Agriculture; Omowumi Olatunji, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare.

Others are Timeyin Adelegbe, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry; Jibayo Adeyeye, the Special Adviser on Health and Victor Olambitan, a Special Adviser on Rural Development to Akeredolu.

Ojogo (Ondo South), Adefarati (Akoko North), Olatunji (Akure South), Adelegbe (Ose) and Adeyeye (Owo) are contesting for seats in the House of Representatives, while Olabimtan (Akoko East) is eyeing a seat in the Senate.

SaharaReporters learnt that as at the weekend, the six political aides have sent in their resignation letters, thanking the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve. 

On Friday, Akeredolu had told members of the State Executive Council (SEC) in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government in the state to resign their positions if they had obtained nomination forms to contest. [story_link align="left"]62906[/story_link]

The governor's decision was also contained in a circular issued and signed by his Chief of Staff, Gbenga Ale, in Akure.

“Following preparations towards the 2019 general election and subsequent expression of interest of some Executive Council members to contest for political offices, Mr. Governor has directed that any member who has obtained nomination form to contest election into any political office is to put in his/her letter of resignation on or before Monday, 17th September, 2018,” the circular read.

Our correspondent learnt that other members of the cabinet, who had initially shown interest in contesting, are anxious as they are scared of losing out both ways.

A source within the government's circle, who confirmed this on Sunday, said the governor had met with members of his cabinet, who are eyeing political positions.

He mentioned those yet to decide as: Sakari Yusuf, Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development; Sola Amodeni, Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning; Wale Akinteriwa, Commissioner for Finance; Rasheed Badmus, Natural Resources Commissioner, and Tobi Ogunleye, a Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation.  

According to the source: "The governor met with those who are seeking elective political positions in his cabinet and advised them to think deeply before leaving because they are on their own if they don't get the party's ticket. 

"In fact, he frankly told them that if they leave, they should consider themselves gone and not coming back as their positions would be considered vacant and they would be immediately replaced. 

"But the fearless ones among them have gone ahead with their political campaigns in their constituencies and they are canvassing support.

"Although, we cannot rule out some of them that the governor promised to personally give tickets to run like Messrs. Olabimtan and Adelegbe."