Ondo State Governor Aiyedatiwa Terminates All Political Aides, Announces Major Restructuring
Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has made a decisive move by terminating the appointments of all political aides in his administration with immediate effect. This sweeping dissolution, announced on Tuesday, affects every Senior Special Assistant (SSA) and Special Assistant (SA) serving across the state.
Statement from the Governor's Office
In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, and provided to The Guardian, the action is described as part of a broader effort to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery within the state's administrative framework. Adeniyan emphasized that this dismissal precedes a significant expansion of the governor's political team, with plans to appoint approximately 1,000 new aides.
The statement detailed, "In the ongoing drive to enhance efficiency and deepen service delivery, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has relieved all political aides of their duties with immediate effect. Those affected are Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to the Governor. The Governor thanked them for their contributions to the development of the State thus far and wished them well in their future endeavours."
Plans for New Appointments
Furthermore, the statement added, "Meanwhile, in a step to strengthen coordination and inject fresh capacity into the administration, about 1000 new aides, from across the 203 wards in the 18 local government areas of the State, will be appointed by the Governor in due course." This move aims to foster better representation and responsiveness at the grassroots level.
Background and Context
Prior to this mass disengagement, the administration had experienced a series of voluntary resignations from some aides, likely in anticipation of the 2027 general election cycle. It is noteworthy that in September 2024, Governor Aiyedatiwa had appointed at least 344 Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants to serve across the state's 18 local government areas, 33 local council development areas (LCDAs), and 203 wards. This latest action represents a significant shift in his political strategy, signaling a push for renewed governance and broader inclusion.
