EXCLUSIVE: Governor Aiyedatiwa Denies Deputy Access To Lodge Over Political Struggle, Adelami Forced To Lodge In ‘Ramshackle Hotels’

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Owolabi Adelami, has been forced to lodge in rundown hotels since assuming office in February 2024, despite the existence of an official deputy governor’s residence, SaharaReporters has learnt.

Sources within the government told SaharaReporters that the refusal of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration to allow him occupy the residence is linked to fears of a potential power struggle within the administration.

“Ondo State Deputy Governor Adelami has been staying in ramshackle hotels since he and Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa were sworn in,” a government source said.

“There is a deputy governor’s lodge but didn't let him move in because they don't want power struggle. There is a VIP lodge within the Government House which has been renovated, but they didn’t allow him to move in.”

Since assuming office, Adelami has reportedly lodged in no fewer than four different hotels within the Ijapo and Alagbaka areas of Akure.

By February 2025, reports indicated that the state government had spent over N130 million in public funds on his hotel accommodation, while additional bills were also incurred for his aides.

Adelami, a former Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly and one-time governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was nominated by Governor Aiyedatiwa on January 24, 2024, barely six hours after the dissolution of the state’s Executive Council.

His nomination was swiftly confirmed by the Ondo State House of Assembly.

Upon his swearing-in on February 1, 2024, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged Adelami to be transparent and accountable, while expressing confidence that the new deputy would inject fresh ideas to consolidate his administration’s achievements. Adelami, in turn, pledged his loyalty and commitment to the government’s vision.

The Court of Appeal recently upheld their political partnership in Akure on July 31, 2025, when a panel of three justices affirmed the election of Aiyedatiwa and Adelami.

The court dismissed appeals by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied People’s Movement (APM) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), ruling that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of electoral malpractice during the November 16, 2024 governorship election.

However, political tensions in the state remain high — particularly surrounding the role of Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac, who is alleged to wield significant influence over the governor.

“The governor only listens to the Commissioner of Finance, Omowunmi Isaac,” one of the government sources said.

“She holds so much power in his government; we don’t know what she has over him.”

In February 2025, the opposition PDP called for her immediate dismissal over allegations of financial misconduct and undue influence in state affairs. The controversy escalated after the release of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which allocated N11.5 billion as a security vote to the Ministry of Finance. The PDP described the budget as “padded” and claimed it was crafted to benefit the commissioner personally.

Among the contentious provisions were N250 million for “honorariums and sitting allowances” and N230 million for the procurement of a Toyota Prado SUV for the finance commissioner — spending critics described as extravagant given Ondo’s pressing infrastructural, healthcare, and education challenges.

The state government has yet to respond to the allegations regarding Adelami’s accommodation or the claims of budgetary excesses tied to the finance ministry.

In February, SaharaReporters reported that Ekiti State Commissioner, Omowunmi Isaac, was caught on camera publicly spraying money at an event—an act that contravenes Nigeria’s anti-spraying law.

In the viral video obtained by the outlet, Isaac was seen spraying ₦500 notes on musicians after receiving ₦1,000 notes from an unidentified man. The footage sparked widespread criticism and calls for her prosecution.

Under Section 21(3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, spraying, dancing on, or stepping on the naira constitutes currency abuse, which is punishable by law. The CBN and law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned against the practice, stressing the importance of safeguarding the naira’s integrity.

A similar offence had previously landed popular crossdresser and social media personality, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, in prison.

In his case, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested and prosecuted him after a viral video showed him flamboyantly spraying money at an event.

He was sentenced to a jail term without the option of a fine, in what authorities described as a firm demonstration of the government’s resolve to protect the national currency.

However, despite the public outcry, no action was taken against Commissioner Isaac by the EFCC.

Similar Scenario to Aiyedatiwa’s Past Experience Unfolds

Ironically, Aiyedatiwa is now subjecting his deputy to the same treatment he faced as deputy governor under former Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu during their political rift.

Akeredolu embarked on a three-month medical leave in Germany in mid-2023 due to prostate cancer. During this time, Aiyedatiwa acted in his stead.

Upon his return in September 2023, Akeredolu chose to govern from his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, rather than returning to Ondo. This raised concerns about transparency and effective governance.

Tensions escalated as Akeredolu reportedly became suspicious of Aiyedatiwa’s intentions. This became heightened after Akeredolu sacked Aiyedatiwa’s media aides.

Accusations of disloyalty and political maneuvering emerged, echoing a similar fallout Akeredolu had with his previous deputy, Agboola Ajayi.

Impeachment Attempt and Political Fallout

The Ondo State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa, citing allegations of gross misconduct. Many believed this was orchestrated by Akeredolu to remove his deputy amid the growing distrust.

Court Intervention

Aiyedatiwa challenged the impeachment in court, securing a temporary halt to the process. This legal battle further polarised the political landscape in Ondo.

Tinubu’s Intervention

In late November 2023, President Bola Tinubu summoned both factions to Abuja for a peace meeting. He met with Aiyedatiwa, APC leaders, and Ondo lawmakers to resolve the crisis.

Tinubu insisted on maintaining the status quo, so Akeredolu remained governor, and Aiyedatiwa stayed as deputy.

  The Ondo Assembly withdrew its appeal against the court ruling halting the impeachment.

Akeredolu’s Final Days and Governance Challenges

Despite returning from Germany, Akeredolu remained largely absent from public functions and state duties. His governance from Ibadan was criticised as ineffective and opaque.

In December 2023, Akeredolu embarked on another medical leave. He passed away on December 27, 2023, in Germany due to complications from prostate cancer.

Following Akeredolu’s death, Aiyedatiwa was sworn in as the substantive governor of Ondo State. He declared three days of mourning and pledged to uphold Akeredolu’s legacy.

Analysts noted that the rift was partly fueled by political ambitions ahead of the 2024 governorship elections. Factions within the APC were reportedly maneuvering to control succession plans.