2023 ELECTIONS OGUN SSG, CHIEF OF STAFF, 33 OTHERS QUIETLY RESIGN FROM GOV ABIODUN'S CABINET

No fewer than 35 political appointees of Ogan Jovernor Dapo Abiodun, including the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Tolalabi, Chief of Staff Shuaibu Alolabi Salisu and political adviser Samson Ehbetokun, have surreptitiously resigned their appointments.

Some of the other appointees who have resigned, according to sources, are Tunji Akinosi, Commissioner for Forestry, Afolabi Afuape, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affars: Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, Special Adviser on Women Affairs Dapo Okabadejo, Commissioner for Finance/Economic Adviser to the Governor and Jagunmolu Omoniyi, Commissioner for Housing.

It was learnt the appointees tendered their resignation in a hushed process managed by the office of the SSG last week, Mr Talabi's office released a directive from the governor requiring political appointees wishing to run for office in the 2023 general elections to tender their resignation at a special desk in the SSG's office.

It is believed that the carefully guarded process was taken to beat the clause in the newly assented. Electoral Act 2022 which provides that political appointees must completely vacate their office for eligibility to participate in party primaries.

Section 84 (12) of the new electoral law provides that: "No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election."

While Messrs Salisa, Akinost, Afuape, Okubadejo, Jagunmolu and Mrs Adeleye-Oladapo seek seats in the House of Representatives to represent Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda, Ado-Odo Ota, Abeokuta South, Ijebu Central, Yema South/ Ipokia, and Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituencies respectively, Messrs Talabi and Egbetokun are believed to be eyeing a seat to represent Ogun East and Ogun Central respectively at the Senate.