The Chairman of the Ondo State Civil Service Commission, Ajose Kudehinbu, has openly refused to comply with a directive from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to reinstate Temitope Adeola Fakuade, a deputy director with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, who was unjustly sacked in 2020.
Governor Aiyedatiwa had, through a letter dated August 19, 2024, signed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, ordered Kudehinbu to reinstate the civil servant. The letter stated that a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding Fakuade’s compulsory retirement revealed that the allegations against him were legally baseless.
Part of the letter read:
“After a holistic appraisal of the circumstances that led to the officer being retired compulsorily from service, this office recommended to Mr. Governor that the officer be reinstated to his position and all his entitlements be paid as the allegations levied against the officer that led to his compulsory retirement were found to be unfounded in law.
“Consequently, this office conveyed the recommendations to Mr. Governor vide a letter dated 20th September, 202…”
Despite this clear directive, Kudehinbu has remained adamant, sparking a potential clash within the state’s civil service hierarchy. Observers believe this defiance could set a controversial precedent and may escalate tensions between the executive and the civil service commission in Ondo State.
As of now, it remains unclear how Governor Aiyedatiwa intends to address this standoff or ensure compliance with his order.