Doyin Odebowale, the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Strategy to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, has alleged that Ondo State suffered from suboptimal governance during his principal's three-month absence. Governor Akeredolu recently returned from a medical leave in Germany and is currently in his Ibadan residence, where he continues to carry out official duties.

Rumors have circulated regarding a potential dispute between Governor Akeredolu and Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, particularly in light of the governor's decision to dismiss the deputy's media team and instruct each member to return government property immediately.

During an appearance on Channels Television's Politics Today, Odebowale expressed his concerns about the lack of effective governance in Ondo State during this period.

“I can tell you for free, yes, when he was away, there was little of governance,” he said.

“People wanting to contest – yes, they want to be governor, they want to be this, they want to be that. It is within their right, but they were distracting us, and they were recruiting people.”

The governor’s aide stressed that the primary purpose of governance is the welfare of the people, saying officials must serve the people and relegate politicking to the background.

“The governor is not interested in these petty politics that people have reduced the whole state to in his absence,” he added.

“Talking about their relationship, I know the governor and the deputy still met a few days ago. There’s no problem at all,” Odebowale said in reassurance.