A brewing political rift between Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has emerged over the replacement of a nominee for the South West Development Commission (SWDC) Board.
The disagreement centers on the appointment process, initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with the two prominent figures at odds over the changes made to Aiyedatiwa’s original nominations.
Sources indicate that Aiyedatiwa is accusing Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, of replacing one of his nominated candidates for the SWDC board.
While the replacement nominee is also from Ondo State, Aiyedatiwa claims that the substitution undermines his authority and disregards the governor’s prerogative in making such appointments.
In a related development, President Tinubu approved the appointment of former Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti State as the SWDC Chairman and Charles Akinola from Osun State as Managing Director.
The SWDC board also includes several other members, such as Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, and Funmilayo Tejuosho from Lagos, among others.
Aiyedatiwa had submitted the names of Adewinle and Rasak Obe, his former Commissioner for Energy, for the SWDC board, with Obe slated for the Executive Director of Projects role.
However, Aiyedatiwa was dismayed to discover that Obe’s name had been replaced with Olugbenga Olufehinti.
The unexpected change has created unrest among the APC members loyal to the governor in Ondo State. In response, Aiyedatiwa rushed to Abuja to protest the decision.
Some of the governor’s supporters have interpreted the removal of his nominee as a slight against the office of the Ondo State governor.
The lack of intervention from the state’s senators has exacerbated the tension between Aiyedatiwa and Bamidele.
An APC insider based in Abuja highlighted that the three senators from Ondo State, who would typically advocate for the governor’s nominees, do not align with Aiyedatiwa.
Tensions between the governor and the senators have been escalating, especially regarding efforts to remove Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire and others from their positions.
The APC source remarked, “This move is a direct affront to Governor Aiyedatiwa and the people of Ondo State. It is within the governor’s rights to propose members for the SWDC board, and Senator Bamidele has insulted that authority by removing Aiyedatiwa’s choice. The governor’s visit to Abuja is a result of the same forces that are behind the replacement of his nominee.”
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