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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Ondo State Government and a group within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Aketi Legacy Movement (ALM), have traded words over the sack of the Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele.
Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa had on Tuesday night approved the retirement of Ogundele, who had spent about 30 years in service, with immediate effect.
Ogundele’s retirement notice was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, who said a new Head of Service has been approved by Aiyedatiwa.
“The Governor has approved the appointment of Mr. Bayo Philip as Acting Head of Service, with immediate effect.
“The Governor appreciates Mr. Kayode Ogundele for his service to the state, while also wishing him the best in his future endeavours,” Adeniyan said.
But in a swift reaction, ALM faulted the compulsory retirement of Ogundele, describing it as another step towards erasing the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s legacy.
A statement signed by ALM Publicity Secretary, Yomi Ayodele, alleged that the governor was playing politics with Ogundele’s retirement.
ALM maintained that the steps taken by Ayedatiwa further reinforced “our belief that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is determined to erase every trace of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s legacy.”
According to Ayodele, the official statement by Adeniyan claiming that Ogundele’s retirement was approved by the governor was misleading, adding that Ogundele did not voluntarily resign or retire as he is still under the required number of service years.
“The truth is, Ogundele, who was born on July 28, 1967, still had three more years of service remaining. The official retirement age for civil servants is 60 years.
“Ogundele began his civil service career in 1994 as an Administrative Officer II in the Ministry of Education, so going by his records of Service, he should have retired in year 2027 having attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 and spent 33 years in service.
“It is therefore crucial for the public to understand that Governor Aiyedatiwa sacked 57-year-old Ogundele as Head of Service. He only served for 30 years,” he said.
Ayodele further stated that “Ogundele’s supposed offence was that he requested Pa. Reuben Fasoranti not to intervene in Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment saga late last year.”
“Aiyedatiwa accused Ogundele of visiting Pa Fasoranti’s house and asking him to refrain from interfering in the impeachment and leaving Aiyedatiwa to deal with his problem alone.
“Ogundele, who had never previously visited Pa. Fasoranti, has now become a victim of the Governor’s vindictive behaviour and fabricated lies.
“Despite Ogundele’s attempts to provide explanations and clarifications, Governor Aiyedatiwa remained resolute in his decision to sack him.
“With the removal of Ogundele as the Head of Service, Governor Aiyedatiwa has returned Ondo State to the unfortunate era of politicising the civil service.
“It is worthy of note that the late Akeredolu championed a responsible governance approach, free from bitterness, which allowed the Head of Service appointed by the previous administration to complete his tenure until retirement.
“Toyin Akinkuotu, who was appointed by former Governor Dr. Segun Mimiko, was allowed to serve his full term as the Head of Service despite pressure from various quarters urging Akeredolu to sack him.
“It is evident that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s style of governance reflects an archaic and primitive form of bitter politics. It is even more disheartening that Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was expected to complete the late Akeredolu’s tenure, is rapidly eroding the legacy of the late Governor.
“As it stands, Aiyedatiwa has replaced an Ikare man with Mr. Bayo Philips, an Ilaje man, as the new Head of Service. He has taken the position to his hometown,” he added.
The Aketi group also alleged that some civil servants who worked closely with the late Akeredolu at the Government House and protocol department have all been reassigned.
Reacting to the allegations, Adeniyan said the governor’s action is in order, adding: “If they say it is politicised, then they are invariably saying that Ogundele was a politician or that he played politics with his position as HoS.
“The position of HoS is the pinnacle of service for public servants and whoever gets there knows that he or she can leave the position at any time.
“The Governor reserves the right to appoint HoS and he has no need to consider politics before taking such a decision. This decision was taken to revitalise the civil service for optimum performance.”