The Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, has said that Governor Godwin Obaseki is yet to receive any official communication of the resignation of the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, noting that the story has only been making the rounds on social media.
It will be recalled that the rumour of the resignation emerged in some online medium late yesterday afternoon.
However, there was no confirmation from any credible source and calls and messages sent to Mr. Akerele’s cell phone by Midwest Herald were unanswered as at the time of filing this report by our Government House Correspondent.
Our investigation has revealed that Mr. Akerele took the backdoor out of his office as Chief of Staff, having fallen on hard times frosty.
Specifically, the former CoS is alleged to be a victim of blackmail by forces loyal to Mr. Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, the All Progressives Congress, APC National Chairman, who Midwest Herald learnt, confronted Akerele with records of his activities, as head of the World Bank Desk in the Ministry of Budget, when Oshiomhole served as governor.
The facts emerged only after the report of his regular meetings with his accusers came to the fore. He is quoted to have allegedly explained that he was caught in between forces that have vowed to hunt him with his details at the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) office.
“This was the reason he gave for his regular visit to pro Oshiomhole’s agent and he had no option but to take a face saving route.” An insider volunteered.
In the follow-up statement after the confusion created by his unceremonious exit, Osagie Crusoe said: “In the past few hours, it emerged on social media that the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, has resigned his appointment with the Edo State Government.
“While the governor has not received any formal communication to this effect, he believes that this is a personal decision of Mr. Akerele.
“However, whenever the resignation letter gets to the governor, he would accept it, and he wishes Akerele all the best in his future endeavours.”