2023 General Elections: Ogun Refutes Fake News On Resignation of Exco Members And Political Appointees

Following the fake news making the rounds that the chief of staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Shuaib Afolabi, Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi and more than 35 Political Appointees in Ogun State have resigned their appointments, many of the aforementioned officers reported at their duty posts on Monday and Tuesday this week

In a statement, the Chief of staff, the Governor’s Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Forestry, Tunji Akinosi and his counterparts in Investment, Trade and Industry, Mrs Kikekomo Longe were seen engaging in a meeting with some foreign investors at the Governor’s Conference Room.

It was learnt that a follow-up meeting has been scheduled to hold as soon as Gov. Dapo Abiodun returns from his trip to Abuja.

The statement affirms that some political officers may have political ambitions, it is however preposterous to insinuate that 37people resigned when they did not.

Among scores of unnamed other appointees said to have resigned by the fake news are: Tunji Akinosi, Commissioner for Forestry; Afolabi Afuape, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, Special Adviser on Women Affairs; Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Finance/Economic Adviser to the Governor; and Jagunmolu Omoniyi, Commissioner for Housing.

The fake news alluded to a “hushed process managed by the office of the SSG” in one breath and insinuated that the SSG himself resigned!

However, it was confirmed that a directive from the governor only directed political appointees wishing to run for political offices in the 2023 general elections to notify the SSG, and not asking them to tender their resignation.

The reporter of the fake news, the source said was being “disingenious about implications of the clause in Section 84 (12) of the new electoral law provides that: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

The authoritative source within the government circle however said that: ” Government will not be drawn into any needless controversies on individual politicians ambitions. We have a job to do and we will not be distracted by liars from the pit of hell whose interest is patently divisive, retrogressive and anti-people”.