President Bola Tinubu has reportedly summoned the newly sworn-in Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to Lagos State for a meeting, government sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters on Thursday.
SaharaReporters learnt that the president’s invitation came after eyebrows were raised over the manner Aiyedatiwa embarked on “celebration and jubilation” at his swearing-in on Wednesday.
His predecessor and former Ondo Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, died of cancer on Wednesday in a hospital in Germany, paving the way for Aiyedatiwa to be sworn into office.
“The entire tenor of the swearing-in was very tasteless. How can you be saying “aku ori ire eni” (congratulations to us for today’s success) when it’s someone’s death that elevated you? He has already goofed on Day one. He was all over shouting and hailing and jubilating,” a top source told SaharaReporters.
“Could he not have kept it solemn for a few hours and done the rejoicing elsewhere? President Tinubu has already summoned him to Lagos over his swearing-in jubilation after Akeredolu’s death,” another source said.
One of the sources also accused Aiyedatiwa, as Acting Governor, of spraying cash when he led other members of the State Executive Council to the burial of the late Chief Williams Abegunde Fagbegi, father of former Secretary to Ondo State Government, Hon Ifedayo Abegunde (Abena), in Akure.
“He sprayed money at the burial of Abena’s father,” the source said, adding that Aiyedatiwa should be warned to be mindful of how he manages power.
SaharaReporters on Wednesday reported that the swearing-in of Aiyedatiwa followed the death of Akeredolu on Wednesday at the age of 67.
The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by the Chief Judge of Ondo, Justice Olusegun Odusola, who was sworn in by Akeredolu as the 12th Chief Judge of the state in February 2023.
Akeredolu died on Wednesday in Germany.
The governor battled cancer until his death.
The 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September after a three-month medical leave in Germany and only recently proceeded on another one after President Tinubu directed him to hand over power to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa.
His deputy, Aiyedatiwa had been standing in as Acting Governor.
Following his return to Nigeria in September, Akeredolu stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital and tried to govern his state from there, sparking public outrage.