Drama As Ondo Governor Orders Police To Stop His Deputy From Leaving Government House [Video]

A mild drama ensued on Saturday night at the Ondo State Government house as the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, instructed the state police commissioner, Mr Bolaji Salami, to prevent his deputy, Hon Ajayi Agboola, from moving his personal belongings out of the government house in Akure, the state capital.

The deputy governor and some personal aides had gone to the Government House to move out his personal items ahead of the planned defection of Ajayi to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in preparation of the October 10, 2020 governorship election in the state.

The newly deployed Commissioner of Police, acting on the governor’s instructions repeatedly barred the pilot vehicle of Mr Ajayi from moving his personal belongings out of the compound.

According to Vanguard, an eyewitness quoted the police commissioner saying:

“we are not saying you should not go out. Since you are defecting, even your letter was brought to me in my office this evening that you are doing it (decamping) on Monday. What government is saying is that you cannot go out with official vehicles.

“This is politics, I am not saying it is right. This is government house, the governor is the one talking, give me few minutes, let me talk to my boss.”

For over several hours, the deputy governor and aides were seen in a video footage arguing with the security personnel blocking their exit from the Government House.

A media aide to the deputy governor, Mr Allen Sowore, confirmed the incident to newsmen on Saturday. He said:

“We could not leave the Government House for several hours yesterday as they refused the deputy governor to pack his personal belongings.

“At a time, the deputy governor had to ask the position of the Commissioner of Police in this matter because the way he acted was just too low of him as a public officer.”

Speaking with newsmen, the Deputy governor expressed disappointment with the conduct of the Commissioner of Police and the men posted to the government house. He said the conduct of the police boss is unbecoming of a senior police officer. Ajayi said:

“I have tried all constitutional and acceptable means to prevent this crisis. You are being used by the governor to deprive me of my constitutional right, I am highly disappointed that a policeman of your caliber can be used like this.”

“I personally paid for this vehicle. You should not have put yourself in this mess. Let me tell you, you cannot repeat what happened in this state in 1983 because Ondo State people will resist you and your emperor with everything.”

Watch the video below:

There had been a cold war between Ajayi and Akeredolu, which became visible shortly after 2019 general election when the APC lost the presidential election in the state.

The relationship broke down completely after the deputy governor began boycotting all activities of government including that of the party in the state.

Ajayi has concluded plans to leave the APC to PDP where he could possibly emerge their candidate for the governorship election slated for October.