Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in a major reorganisation exercise recently dissolved the State Executive Council, a change of gear in his administration’s management style. It came in a press statement issued on Wednesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan.
The restructuring is not without exclusion though for two major cabinets deemed relevant and vital for the continuity and stability of the government. Dr. The following members will remain in their positions as they have core responsibilities in the administration of the State; The Attorney General & Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, Commissioner for Finance.
As for the rest of the cabinet, all are to surrender: ‘All government property in the possession of the affected cabinet members…’ the statement went on to determine the flowchart of this transition: ‘is to be returned forthwith to the accounting officers of their respective ministries’.
Much as Governor Aiyedatiwa appreciated the efforts of the outgoing cabinet members, in his words, ‘’The Governor appreciated the outgoing EXCO members for their service and input in the growth of Ondo State during his tenure and extend wished them well in future endeavours’.
The move by Governor Aiyedatiwa to fire the Secretary to the State Government basically indicates a possible change of direction as far as administrative direction and policy implementation for Ondo State is concerned. The fact that the Attorney General and Finance Commissioner have been retained means that there is a clear political strategy for maintaining political stability in legal and financial affairs during this transition time.
The dissolution comes at a time when all the state governments in Nigeria are under pressure to restructure their administrations to improve service delivery and efficiency. This restructuring may have provided the governor with the basis to form a new cabinet that he thinks best suits the state’s best interests.
With the state waiting for new cabinet members, the matter of how this reshuffle will affect active projects and policies will be watched keenly and the criteria to be used in appointing new members to the state’s executive council will be keenly watched as it will guard the state’s development agenda.
