Doyin Odebowale, former Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to the late Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has clarified the reasons behind his resignation, citing the demise of the governor as a key factor.
The Global News had reported that Odebowale, alongside other key aides including Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing Aminu Raimi, Special Assistant on Photography Olawale Abolade, Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties Dare Aragbaye, and Chief Press Secretary Richard Olatunde, resigned after Governor Akeredolu’s passing in Germany.
In letters addressed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Odebowale and others cited Akeredolu’s death as the reason for their resignation.
Odebowale provided further elaboration on this matter during a recent interview with newsmen.
After working closely with Akeredolu for over three decades, Odebowale expressed his inability to replicate the same level of dedication and loyalty to the newly sworn-in governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He emphasized his instrumental role in convincing Akeredolu to contest the 2018 gubernatorial election and subsequently serving as a special adviser to oversee state affairs.
He said, “I have worked with Akeredolu for 30 years. I was the last person who convinced him to contest the previous election. I wrote all his campaign content. It is more of a personal reason for me. I have nothing against whoever is in office now.
“I have nothing left to do in the office when the person who brought me there is no longer there. I can’t remain in that space and pretend. I can’t be as committed as I was with Akeredolu because I got all his support. It was not political. He gave me the wings to fly. He was my brother, like a family.”