Imminent cabinet shake-up: Gov. Mimiko runs from lobbyists

Ondo state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has moved out of the State’s Government House at the Alagbaka area of

Akure, the state capital, to avoid those who have been lobbying seriously to be accommodated in the new cabinet and boards of state-owned parastatals that are expected to be announced any time from now.
Lobbyists have been milling around the Governor, who is fondly called Iroko, since hints of the imminent sacking of the State Executive Council, SEC, and boards became public knowledge. Some have been seeking slots for themselves while others have been lobbying for their relatives, friends or godsons or daughters. Many are gunning for ministries and parastatals considered to be juicy and are deploying all the arsenals at their disposal, including godfathers and godmothers within and from outside the state to try to convince or arm twist the governor into bringing them on board.
But Governor Mimiko, the current Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors’ Forum, determined not to be influenced by these lobbyists, has left the state since about 10 days ago, with the Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele from Okitipupa.
They are said to have embarked on a foreign trip, preparatory to the dissolution and reconstitution of the State’s EXCO and the boards.
Our Correspondent learnt that the Governor decided to travel with the Speaker so that the dogged lobbyists would not use him to influence any alteration of the list of new appointees which is said to have been finalized before the trip.
Some of the outgoing commissioners were seen moving their personal belongings out of their offices signifying that the much rumoured cabinet shake-up has become inevitable and imminent. The Governor is expected back any time from now.
Incumbent Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade refused to comment on the proposed dissolution of the cabinet and boards but simply said that it was the Governor’s prerogative.