Posted by By AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan on
Embattled Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who said last week that he would resume duties on Monday, has proceeded on leave without the permission of his boss, Governor Rasidi Ladoja.
Embattled Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, who said last week that he would resume duties on Monday, has proceeded on leave without the permission of his boss, Governor Rasidi Ladoja.
In a letter signed by his Executive Assistant, Prince Dotun Oyelade and mailed to Daily Sun, Akala hinged his decision to go on leave on the 'workload of the past 11 months, coupled with the onerous task as the PDP's flagbearer," in next year's polls.
Oyelade, who had, last week disclosed the readiness of Akala to work with Ladoja as deputy governor, also announced that his boss has chosen Hon. Taofeek Arapaja, a member of the House of Representatives and core loyalist of Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu as his running mate for the 2007 governorship election.
Oyelade said that Akala also has sought for the 'understanding and cooperation" of Ladoja to ensure that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 'repeats its electoral victory as it did in 2003."
Reacting to this development, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Media and Strategy, Prince Ade Adekanmbi, described Akala's decision to proceed on leave without the permission of Gov. Ladoja as a negation of the normal procedure existing in public office.
The governor's media aide, who acknowledged Akala's letter during a telephone chat on Sunday, said his boss only received Akala's letter through one the deputy governor's aides, adding that Akala never sought permission to proceed on leave.
'He (Akala) only passed a letter to the governor informing him, not asking for his permision to go on leave. He did not write to seek his permission, neither did he indicate when he will start or end his leave. He just said he has proceeded on leave and that is not the procedure", Adekanmbi stated.
He was, however, silent on whether Ladoja would grant the leave or refuse it, saying his boss has not discussed his intention about the incident.