Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and his counterpart in Ogun state on Monday reshuffled their cabinet. In oyo state three commissioners were sacked. In the words of Alhaji Waheed Akin Olajide ,Secretary to Oyo State Government, the sacked commissioners includes Alhaji Yunus Akintunde of the Ministry of Works and Transport; Mr. Bosun Oladele of the Ministry of Information and Orientation and Hon. Kazeem Adedeji of the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Cooperatives.
Huhuonline.com learnt that the affected commissioners did not have any prior information of their sack until they appeared at the state Executive Council Meeting. “It was at the meeting they received the information that they have been fired by the Governor,” a top official of the government, said.
The source also confirmed that six other commissioners were swapped.
“There has been apprehension among us since the news first broke days ago that the governor was considering a reshuffling his cabinet. Though he has the right to effect any change, I can assure you that this situation is politically inclined. That is all I can tell you for now,” the source added.
As it is, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Bimbo Kolade, was moved to the Ministry of Lands. Mr. Peter Odetomi, formerly of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was moved to Agriculture and Rural Development.
While Mr. Lowo Obisesan, who was until Monday the commissioner of Establishment and Training, was moved to the Ministry of Environment. Mr. Wasiu Dauda, who was commissioner of the Ministry of Environment, was moved to the Ministry of Establishment.
Also the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Ajiboye Omodewu, has been asked to proceed to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs while the Commissioner for Applied Science and Technology, Mr. Adegbenro, has been asked to take over the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Cooperatives.
The name of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Pastor Taiwo Otegbeye, was forwarded to the state House of Assembly for confirmation as a commissioner. However, his portfolio has not been announced.
According to the SSG, the cabinet reshuffle was done to enhance effectiveness and efficiency in line with the restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of the Gov.Ajimobi`s administration. But huhuonline.com gathered that the change arose because Governor had lost confidence in some of the cabinet members, who had failed to meet the expectations of the people.
In the same vein, the Governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun also carried out some changes, which the government has described as minor saying this is to enable government to invigorate and strengthen the administration to achieve its five-point economic blueprint through the re-building process.
A press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, gave details of the changes. In his words, Chief Olu Odeyemi, who until Monday was the commissioner in charge of the Ministry of Culture & Tourism, was moved to the Ministry of Special Duties. Hon. Ayo Olubori, who was in charge of the Ministry of Agriculture, was transferred to the Ministry of Forestry. While Dr. Lanre Tejuosho, formerly of the Ministry of Special Duties has been moved to the Ministry of the Environment.
Others include Mr. Adebayo Fari, who was moved from the Ministry of Environment to the newly created Ministry of Physical Planning and Hon. Falilu Adebisi, who was moved from the Ministry of Forestry to the Ministry of Rural Development.
According to Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, the change was with immediate effect. He also stated that the names of some nominees would be sent to the state House of Assembly for consideration
