Agboola Ajayi: I Am Not Desperate But it is a Constitutional Provision to Transmit Power to me

The embattled deputy governor of Ondo State, Hon Agboola Ajayi on Sunday said he was not desperate for power but it’s a constitutional provision that power should be transmitted to the deputy if the governor is incapacitated.

While reacting to recent media backlash on the 21-day ultimatum given to the Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, to hand over to him as stipulated in the constitution, Allen Sowore, the Media Adviser, Allen Sowore accused the media of a deliberate twist of his intentions.

He reacted thus: ”I made reference to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria in relation to the conditions which can trigger the constitutional clause on automatic transfer of power to a deputy governor when the governor is temporarily incapacitated in relation to the prevailing circumstances in the Ondo State.

“The statement has since gained national traction. However, my reference to the provisions of the Constitution has been deliberately taken out of context to the effect that some National Newspapers headlines twisted the statement to mean that Ondo State Deputy Governor, Alfred Agboola Ajayi demanded that Arakunrin Akeredolu should hand over government to him within 21 days.

“I wish to state without any fear of contradiction that the political flavour added to my reference to extant constitutional provision on a purely constitutional matter represents deliberate mischief intended to portray the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi as someone who’s desperate to get power. This is far from it.”

In the another twist, the Secretary to Ondo State Government, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde (Abena), has also resigned his position.

Abegunde was rumoured to be working with the state Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi on how to realise his governorship ambition on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a telephone chat with ThisDay, the former SSG said: “Yes it is true, I have resigned my appointment as Ondo State SSG this morning. It is true my brother.”