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Five Akeredolu’s Men Quit Aiyedatiwa’s Cabinet, Gov Shops For Deputy
Following the demise of Governor Rotimi AkeredoluRotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Wednesday, no fewer than five of his aides have tendered their resignation.
Following the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as the new governor, some of Akeredolu’s aides dropped their resignation letter.
They include Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde; and the ex-governor’s Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr Dare Aragbaye.
Others are the Commissioner for Infrastructure Lands and Housing, Mr Aminu Raimi; the Special Assistant on Photography, Mr Olawale Abolade; and the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr Doyin Odebowale.
The development indicated that they were not ready to work with the new governor. Some of them cited their loyalty to Akeredolu as the reason for their resignation.
In his letter of resignation addressed to the office of the Secretary to the State Government, made available to our correspondent on Thursday, the infrastructure and housing commissioner said his resignation was dictated by his conscience.
“I write to tender my resignation of appointment as Commissioner For Infrastructure, Lands and Housing with effect from today, 28 December 2023.
“This decision is anchored on my conscience, as my leader and dear boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON joined the Saint Triumphant.
“I sincerely thank our dear Arakunrin and the good people of the state for the opportunity to serve in his cabinet as Senior Special Assistant on Lands and infrastructure, Special Adviser on Lands, Works and Infrastructure and Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing,” Raimi said.
In his own letter, the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Adebowale, said: “I write to notify your office of my intention to resign my appointment as the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the Governor of Ondo State with immediate effect.
“I use this medium to thank the government and the people of Ondo State for the rare privilege offered for service.”
Meanwhile, one of Aiyedatiwa’s allies, which did not want to be named, said the aides of Akeredolu resigned for fear of being victimised by the new governor.
“They resigned out of fear of victimisation which I don’t believe the governor would have time to do. I would like to tell you that more are still going to resign,” the source said.
There was a rancour in the cabinet before Akeredolu died.
While Akeredolu was abroad receiving treatment, Aiyedatiwa had functioned as acting governor, but some of the cabinet members did not cooperate with him.
Amid a move by the state Assembly to impeach Aiyedatiwa, he had openly tendered an apology to Akeredolu, pledging his loyalty.
Akeredolu’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy, Odebowale, in a statement, rebuffed Aiyedatiwa’s apology, insisting that then deputy governor must be impeached.
Meanwhile, it was gathered on Wednesday that Aiyedatiwa had begun to shop for a deputy governor.
A source in the governor’s office said the governor might pick one of the cabinet members, adding that Aiyedatiwa had been holding meetings with the political stakeholders in and outside the state in his search for a suitable and loyal deputy governor.
According to the source, the governor is looking towards either the northern or central senatorial districts of the state.
The source in the governor’s office listed possible choices as the Chief of Staff to the former governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale; and the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Razak Obe.
The source said, “In a couple of days, the deputy governor will be announced. The governor is still searching for a person who will be very loyal and supportive. He is very likely to pick among the ones that are very loyal to him in the cabinet of the late Governor Akeredolu.
“He has been meeting with some APC leaders in the southern senatorial district on the matter.”
However, when contacted the Chief Press Secretary to Aiyedatiwa, Mr Ebenezer Adeniyan, declined comment on the matter.
“I can’t comment. We are still mourning,” he said.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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