Barr. Banji Okunomo has said that the recent resignation of some Special Assistants (SA's) and Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) under Gov. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in Ondo State does not in any way affect the structure, stability, or effective functioning of government.
Okunomo, Spokesperson for Gov. Aiyedatiwa in the last governorship election said the roles are fundamentally advisory and exist at the pleasure and discretion of the governor, often extended as acts of political goodwill, trust, and magnanimity.
Okunomo in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Okitipupa, said that their offices are not not statutory offices.
According to him, They do not exercise independent executive authority, and they do not control budgetary heads critical to the operational continuity of government.
"It must be categorically stated that those who have resigned did so voluntarily and largely for greener pastures and greater opportunities.
"Notably, two of the individuals who recently resigned have secured pensionable appointments with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt.
"This is a significant career advancement and reflects personal progress rather than any crisis within government.
"Furthermore, others who have tendered their resignations are doing so in view of the current political season, as they prepare to contest elective positions within their respective constituencies.
"This is a natural progression in democratic participation and should be viewed as a positive development, not otherwise," he said.
Okunomo said that the advancements and opportunities are clear testimonies to the enabling environment and people-oriented leadership provided by the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the national and sub-national levels.
He added that the APC-led administrations has continued to create pathways for growth, empowerment, and upward mobility for competent individuals.
"This is highly commendable and worthy of recognition.
"Let no individual or group attempt to create mischief or manufacture crisis from what is clearly a normal and progressive political development.
"Resignations for career advancement and political aspiration are signs of a healthy and functional political system.
"It is also important to ask a fundamental question: why are the resignations limited to SAs and SSAs, and not commissioners or agency chairmen—positions that carry far greater statutory authority, higher remuneration, broader responsibilities, and direct control over budgetary allocations?
"The obvious answer is that the core structure of governance remains intact, stable, and unaffected," Okunomo said.
He, however, said that the resignation of SAs and SSAs neither carries political weight nor signals any instability within government.
Okunomo added that it reflected personal advancement, political growth, and the success of a system that continues to empower its people.
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