By David Orimisan
Amid growing political tensions in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has firmly denied allegations that his deputy, Dr. Olayide Adelami, has been compelled to lodge in dilapidated hotels rather than occupy the official deputy governor’s residence.
This clarification comes after media reports and political criticisms spotlighted both the deputy’s extended hotel stay and the state’s expenditure on his accommodation.
In a statement released on August 11, 2025, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s Press Secretary, John Paul Akinduro, labelled the reports as baseless, aimed at sowing discord, and insisted that the deputy had never been barred from the renovated lodge.
According to the statement, the official residence, which Governor Aiyedatiwa had ordered refurbished upon assuming office, has since been completed and is available for use. “Dr. Adelami was never forced to stay in ‘ramshackle hotels’. The allegations are figments of anti-democratic imaginations,” Akinduro stated.
Contrary to official responses, recent investigations suggest otherwise. Multiple government sources told OrimixTimes that Adelami spent nearly one year shuttling between several hotels, allegedly due to deliberate obstruction from accessing the deputy governor’s lodge by some accounts a strategic decision prompted by internal power dynamics. By early 2025, the state had reportedly spent over ₦130 million on hotel accommodations alone.
Additional scrutiny comes from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which accused Governor Aiyedatiwa of misallocating ₦217 million earmarked for lodge renovation, redirecting it instead to lodging the deputy in luxury hotels. This, the PDP argues, was wasteful and undermined the state’s developmental priorities.
Supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa, however, have dismissed these claims as political theatre, intended to derail his administration’s achievements in education, infrastructure, and healthcare. They note that the refurbishment of the deputy’s quarters is complete, and that Adelami has free access to the lodge whenever he chooses to use it.
Analysts suggest this controversy echoes past tensions during Governor Aiyedatiwa’s deputy tenure under former governor Rotimi Akeredolu, when internal dissent and impeachment talk flared as the governor sought to sideline his deputy. The current episode appears to be intensifying existing factions within the state’s political leadership.
Meanwhile, critics contend that these optics matter in governance. Despite official denials, no public inspection or update has confirmed the condition or occupancy of the deputy governor’s lodge, leaving the scandal unresolved in citizens’ eyes.
This unfolding saga blending infrastructure delays, party politics, and questions over public spending—underscores broader concerns over transparency, prudent governance, and the politicization of official symbols in Ondo State’s administration. As the 2025 political calendar heats up, many are watching closely to see whether this saga will be resolved through clarity and accountability or deepen existing divides.
Key Facts Snapshot
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deputy Inauguration | Dr. Olayide Adelami sworn in February 2024 |
| Lodge Renovation Approval | ₦217 million approved in July 2024 |
| Hotel Bills | Estimated ₦130 million incurred for Adelami’s stays |
| Governor’s Position | Alleges deputy had access; lies spread to create mistrust |
| PDP Position | Condemns waste of resources; accuses government of mismanagement |
