Posted by From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan on
A plot by some top government officials in Oyo State to remove the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, is in the offing.
A plot by some top government officials in Oyo State to remove the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Olayiwola Olakojo, is in the offing.
The plot, it was gathered, is being championed by some aides of Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The plot, it was learnt yesterday, was first hatched about four months ago and was allegedly led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communication, Prince Dotun Oyelade.
But the SSG was said to have rallied other top government officials to thwart their efforts.
But Oyelade denied such a plan then; adding that the SSG was doing well.
Oyelade was, however, said to have stopped the move because the SSG had reportedly lobbied prominent stakeholders in the state to kill the plot.
It was, however, learnt that the aides only went underground to re-strategise, a move that became noticeable last week.
Olakojo discovered to his chagrin last Friday that his name and picture were missing from the programme of events at the presentation of cheques and equipment to beneficiaries of micro credit scheme in the 33 local government areas. The event held in Ibadan.
Olakojo was said to have protested, saying that he should be informed if his presence was no more needed in government.
The SSG was said to have told some of his associates that the omission was a deliberate act to humiliate him out of government.
The organisers and other top government officials had to prevail on him not to walk out.
The crisis resurfaced yesterday when Oyelade publicly disowned the SSG.
According to Oyelade, who said he was speaking on behalf of the government, the SSG had no right to place an advertorial in the media on behalf of the government on the remembrance of the mother of the governor, who died two years ago.
His words: "Governor Akala never encouraged nor knew about the said advertorial until he saw it in the papers. In fact, he is embarrassed because, he is an apostle of frugal, prudent and judicious spending of public money put in his care by the people.
"Governor Akala adores his mum and will celebrate her without government intervention."
It was, however learnt that the move against the SSG, who is from Oyo town, is part of a plot to get at the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III.
Alao-Akala, sources said, was thinking of how to be in the good books of the Olubadan, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade I and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi Ajagungbade, who are at loggerheads with Oba Adeyemi over the leadership of the state Council of Obas and Chiefs.
The move now, a source said, is to make the chairmanship of the Council of Obas and Chiefs rotational, as canvassed by the two monarchs.
Members of the House of Assembly have been allegedly mobilised to amend the law on the composition and functions of the Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the SSG, Mr. Lanre Ladapo described the planned removal as a ruse.
"It's all rumour," he said.
He added that the omission of Olakojo's name and picture in the programme of events at the function in Ibadan last Friday was a mistake.