Group Flays Premature Sack Of Ondo Head Of Service, Accuses Governor Aiyedatiwa Of Politicizing Civil Service

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been accused of frustrating out of service, Mr Kayode Ogundele, who was, until Tuesday, the State’s Head of Service.

He has been replaced with Mr Bayo Philips, the Governor’s kinsman.

Ogundele, 57, going by civil service rule is expected to retire at age 60 or when he clocks 35 years in service.

Governor Aiyedatiwa allegedly removed him due to the role the former Head of Service played in his celebrated impeachment saga, while he was serving as deputy governor.

A Group, Aketi Legacy Movement, loyal to late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu accused Aiyedatiwa of politicizing the civil service with the sack.

However, Chief Press Secretary to the governor Ebenezer Adeniyan defended the action of his boss saying “If they say it’s politicized, 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 decision. This decision was taken to revitalize the civil service for optimum performance.”

The Group in a statement in Akure on Tuesday stated that “The recent announcement of the retirement of Mr. Kayode Ogundele, the Head of Service in Ondo State, has once again reinforced our belief that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is determined to erase every trace of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s legacy.

“The official statement from the Governor’s spokesperson claimed that Mr. Ogundele’s retirement was approved by the Governor. However, this statement seems to mislead and deceive the people of Ondo State into believing that Mr. Ogundele voluntarily resigned or attained retirement age of 60 years or served the required number of service years.”

The statement, signed by Yomi Ayodele Publicity Secretary added “The truth is, Ogundele, who was born on July 28, 1967, still has 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 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.

“Ogundele’s supposed offense 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.

“Despite Ogundele’s attempts to provide explanations and clarifications, Governor Aiyedatiwa remained resolute in his decision to sack him.

“Ogundele, who had never previously visited Pa. Fasoranti, has now become a victim of the Governor’s vindictive behavior and fabricated lies.

“Also, several civil servants who previously worked closely with the late Governor Akeredolu at the Government House and Protocol department have all been reassigned.

“The affected officers, who formerly held positions as Protocol officers and were in charge of the Government House under the late Governor, have been reassigned from their duties in the government house and protocol department.

“With the removal of Ogundele as the Head of Service, Governor Aiyedatiwa has returned Ondo State to the unfortunate era of politicizing 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 their 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 Lucky’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.”