“How I Frustrated Plots To Stop Inauguration Of Aiyedatiwa As Substantive Gov” – Fmr AG Titiloye

By Ayodele Oni

Immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Charles Titiloye, has revealed intrigues and politics which played out immediately after the death of the former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

Titiloye, who spoke through a statement he personally signed, one year after, revealed that some power blocks in the state warned him not to allow the swearing in of the then Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as a substantive Governor.

“I was at the Swearing-in ceremony of the new Magistrate of Ondo State Judiciary on the 27th of December, 2023 when I received the message that the Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has passed on.

“I was careful on acting on the information without proper confirmation in view of the several past propaganda, alleging the death of my boss.

“It became apparent that as at that time, Ondo State was without a Governor and Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa, the then Deputy Governor cannot in Law rely on the instrument of Acting Governor since the donor of the power is no more.

“I briefed the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Odusola about the development and left the Judiciary ceremony to say some prayers for the repose of the soul of my late boss. My phone started ringing, the political scheming has started again!

“On that day, I received so many calls warning me not to proceed with the Swearing-in of the Deputy Governor. One of the callers insisted that the House of Assembly must sit, pass a resolution, supported by two thirds majority of members, calling the Chief Judge to swear in the Deputy Governor as the Governor.

“I was threatened to be careful and not drag myself into the issue of hot leadership contest in Ondo state. I was asked to officially delay the Swearing in ceremony for another 24 hours!

“Politics can be funny but adherence to the rule of Law is different from politics, the constitution that I read did not give House of Assembly any role to play in the Swearing-in of Deputy Governor as Governor of the state whenever the Governor passed away.

“Another official caller said the Commissioner for Information has not yet announced the death of the Governor and the Attorney General must not take any step without a formal announcement of the demise of the Governor.

“The then Deputy Governor, Hon. Ayedatiwa called me to inform me that he has now officially confirmed from the family and the Federal Government on the death of the Governor and I should take all legal steps as the Chief law officer of the State to ensure the constitution is adhered to strictly and there should not be break down of law and order.

“I requested him to stand by for immediate swearing-in as the Governor and he told me that he was in Igbokoda for Christmas holiday. I urged him to return to Akure, the State capital immediately.

“I called the Chief Judge to prepare for the Swearing-in ceremony and he told me that he has been contacted that he can only perform the function after the commissioner for Information confirms the death of the Governor and he receives correspondence from House of Assembly in respect of its plenary sitting asking him to swear in the Deputy Governor.

“The situation was getting messy and complicated every minute. To avoid further mischief on this Matter, I called the Commissioner for Information and she said she has already prepared her press statement and she will release it shortly.”