The Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers has refuted a claim that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was introduced to the government by the wife of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Betty.
The group described the claim as ridiculous, saying it was the late governor himself who picked Aiyedatiwa as his deputy for the second term.
The Aiyedatiwa support group stated this in a statement on Sunday by its Director of Information, Mr Kayode Fasua.
According to the group, the late Akeredolu had always wanted Aiyedatiwa to be his deputy because of the latter’s loyalty and diligence.
The Aiyedatiwa support group described as “not only ridiculous but also hallucinatory,” the claim that Akeredolu’s wife brought Aiyedatiwa to government.
It will be recalled that following Akeredolu’s death, his ex-Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategies, Dr Doyin Odebowale, had alleged that many of the cabinet members paid Betty, and Akeredolu’s son, Babajide, to secure appointment in government.
But in its statement on Sunday, the Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation said, “ Betty didn’t bring Aiyedatiwa into the government.
“To put the record straight, when Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu secured the All Progressives Congress governorship ticket in 2016, a three-man panel headed by Mrs Jumoke Anifowoshe-Ajasin was set up to select a running mate for him, and at the end, Aiyedatiwa’s name came first on the merit list.
But for other considerations, Akeredolu dumped the list and picked Mr. Agboola Ajayi, who eventually became deputy governor upon their victory.
However, in 2020 when Akeredolu had issues with Ajayi, he solemnly went and picked the 2016 list which Aiyedatiwa topped, and that was how Aiyedatiwa became his running mate, and ultimately, deputy governor.”
