By Osahon Osahon
The All Progressives Congress in Edo State has described as insensitive the recent resignation of Chief Taiwo Akerele, an immediate past Chief of Staff (CoS) to Governor Godwin Obaseki, saying the move was rather too suspicion than on principle.
APC factional chairman in the state, Barr. Anselm Ojezua, who spoke on behalf of the party, asked the former CoS to immediately return all salaries paid to him in the last three years for not doing anything.
It would be recalled that Akerele had on April 25, resigned his appointment via a letter addressed to Governor Obaseki, citing principle and governance grounds.
But, reacting to Akerele’s resignation, Ojezua who is Chairman of APC’s faction loyal to Governor Obaseki, also challenged Akerele to refund the money he collected over three years without doing his job since he (Akerele) claimed that other people have been doing his work.
He faulted the timing of the former CoS’ resignation, noting that Akerele’s motive might not be what he wants people to believe.
“I am more suspicious than I am surprise because the timing made me suspect that his motive may not be as he would want it to be.
“He claimed that other people have been doing his job and I wonder why it took him three years to realised that, and that gives the impression that he has been collecting money for a job that he didn’t do.
“He said he is resigning based on principle and I don’t see principle resigning from a government when we are on emergency and I think that was a bit insensitive. But I concede to him that he has a right to drop any job.
“lf Akerele is principled enough to vacate the job because other has been doing his work, I think he should take principle further to refund the money he collected without working for it,” he said.
Ojezua however noted that Akerele’s resignation will not affect governance in the state, because he is a personal staff of the Governor, adding that the development will give room for another person to do the job better.
Efforts to reach Akerele was not successful, as calls and a text message put across to his mobile phone were not answered.
