The sweet romance and relationship between Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and Alex Ajipe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Klick Konnect Network has begun to turn sour it was learnt.
This development may have dashed Ajipe’s hope of contesting in the 2023 election as a senatorial candidate in Ondo North.
Our correspondent gathered that Ajipe was until now the Consultant to the Ondo State Ministry of Natural Resources on Revenue, a job which involved the management of the state forest reserves.
It was however gathered that the consultancy job was recently withdrawn from Ajipe and the development has cracked his cordial relationship with the governor.
Both Akeredolu and Ajipe are from Owo Local Government Area of the state. While Ajipe hails from Emure town, Governor Akeredolu is a native of Owo.
A source said that trouble started when Akeredolu was aware of the senatorial aspiration the Emure-born businessman.
He said “Ajipe had gone to the governor to inform him about his senatorial ambition. But Governor Akeredolu asked him where he would get money to pursue his dream since it would consume a lot of money.
“Ajipe told the governor that he had three times what it would cost to realise the ambition. I think that was how he gave himself out. The governor may be thinking that Ajipe must have made a lot of money from the state forest reserves.
“He was asked to choose between his senatorial ambition and the management of the state forest reserves. He opted for his ambition. The consultancy job given to him has been withdrawn. The Chinese-investors at the state-owned Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub, Ore, have been directed not to relate with him again,” the source said.
Another source, however, said the consultancy job was taken away from Ajipe because he was using it to enrich his pocket at the expense of the state.
He said: “Ajipe is an ingrate. Governor Akeredolu picked him from the gutter and made him somebody. He has harvested a lot where he did not labour. The guy was formerly with Achiever.
“He was given the state forest reserves to manage. Instead of making money for the state, he is making money for himself. At a time like this, when there is no money to run the affairs of the state, no governor can tolerate that.
“Instead of covering his face in shame, he went to sponsor a damaging story about the governor’s son, using a faceless group. He will soon be exposed.”
Ajipe was the convener of Ibi Giga Ambassadors, a political group that worked for the reelection of Governor Akeredolu.
Ajipe reacts
Meanwhile Ajipe has denied the rumours going on social media and some online bloggers that he is currently in a cold war with the state governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Ajipe said the relationship between him and the governor is still cordial saying he has no regret supporting the governor to win second term ticket.
In a statement released by his Media Aide, Solomon Adewoye, Ajipe said such rumours were unfounded and mischievous.
He insisted that he was in constant communication with Akeredolu before, during and after the Ondo governorship election and he will continue to support his government.
According to him, all the allegations on the social media and some online bloggers are not true and even not enough for him to cause war between him and the governor
Source: Roving reporter
