Richard Olatunde, then-Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s chief press secretary, has faulted Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s claims that his predecessor endorsed him to contest the Ondo 2024 gubernatorial election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

During his official declaration, Mr Aiyedatiwa repeated that his late boss pronounced him the “successor” of the office, saying the former governor was very deliberate and prophetic about his aspiration.

“He (Akerdolu) said it during our inauguration and repeatedly that “Lucky will succeed me. Lucky will carry on the work after me.

“At not one, not two, not three sessions of the cabinet meetings had he pronounced Lucky as his desired choice to carry the flag after him,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said on Tuesday.

But in a swift reaction, Mr Olatunde accused the incumbent governor of using ‘deceptive tactics’ to hang on for his governorship aspiration.

He said Mr Akeredolu’s family and his ardent supporters opposed Mr Aiyedatiwa being the APC gubernatorial candidate.

“This narrative regarding the alleged wish of our late leader and father figure, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for Governor Aiyedatiwa to succeed him has gone too far to be disregarded,” he said this Tuesday, according to a statement sent to Peoples Gazette on Wednesday morning.

Mr Olatunde claimed that Mr Akeredolu did not anoint or express his desire for Mr Aiyedatiwa to succeed him, stressing their strained relationship.

Mr Olatunde, however, added that despite attending official matters and meeting people from Akure, the former governor had intentionally kept Mr Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor at the time, away from him in Ibadan.

The politician stated, “Our late governor was deeply disappointed and regretful of certain behaviours and character traits displayed by Mr Aiyedatiwa during his health challenges, which ultimately led to his passing.

“One thing that discerning minds can see is the turn of events in the latter half of last year. Trust was betrayed. Confidence was shattered. And the true colours of desperation overshadowed the good intentions of our late governor. What followed was a tale of disappointment and betrayal. Our late leader, to say the least, was heartbroken before his demise.”

He added, “We, therefore, caution Mr. Aiyedatiwa to cease these deceptive tactics and focus on his campaign. Akeredolu’s ardent followers, including members of his family, do not support Mr Aiyedatiwa’s aspiration to clinch the ticket of the party.”

The development is coming ahead of the Ondo governorship election slated for November 16 this year.

APC in Ondo has been in a political crisis since Mr Aiyedatiwa entered the race to contest the election and succeed Mr Akeredolu.

Amid the political tension in the APC camp, at least 15 aspirants have also shown interest in jostling for the party’s ticket ahead of next month’s primary.