The Tinubu Campaign Group (TCG) has reacted to the allegations leveled against His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo State, and his deputy, Chief Olayide Owolabi Adelami, by some members of House of Representatives from Ondo State.
The federal lawmakers, under the aegis of the Ondo state All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus in the House of Representatives, wrote an open letter to President Bola Tinubu accusing Governor Aiyedatiwa of patronizing late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s sworn enemies.
Addressing journalist in lbadan, Oyo State capital, on Friday, the National Youth Leader of TGC, Comrade Temitope Ogunlade, said that the lawmakers should have done their background work before coming to the public with such unsubstantiated allegations.
According to Ogunlade, “Aiyedatiwa was loyal to his late principal, Governor Akeredolu, right from day one when he was picked as the running mate in 2020 and he is no doubt, still very committed to the ideals they both shared. Equally, the late Governor never hid his love for Aiyedatiwa either at public or private functions. So, it is surprising to see this type of allegations from the people who should focus on representing their constituents very well at the green chamber”
Ogunlade added that “Governor Aiyedatiwa has been uniting the party, pacifying aggrieved members, since he took the oath of office as the executive governor of the state. He has consolidated on the achievements of his late principal across the state while his Deputy, Chief Olayide Adelami, is passionately assisting him”.
Reacting to the allegations of Adelami being a sworn enemy of late Governor Akeredolu, the group said Gov Aiyedatiwa “has picked a credible and qualified politician and administrator to run the affairs of the state and take her people to the promised land”
Ogunlade reiterated that members of the group were witnesses to the smooth relationship between Adelami and the late Governor.
It said, “Adelami was never, at any point in time, an enemy of late Akeredolu as being erroneously suggested by the lawmakers. It is okay and within the rights of every individual to aspire to political office, of which Adelami who is a law-abiding citizen and illustrious son of Owo, did in 2020. Noteworthy, is the way he handed over his political structure to late Akeredolu coupled with financial support”.
The group said Chief Adelami also donated campaign materials and followed the late governor around to campaign across the length and breadth of the state.
“As a group within the progressives family, we can attest to the character and competence of the new Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Olayide Adelami, and assure Ondo state people of good governance and purposeful leadership as they continue to pray for the success of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration” Ogunlade submitted.