The new Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is caught between retaining the state executive council constituted by his late predecessor and satisfying his loyalists who are seeking appointments as compensation for their loyalty, PETER DADA writes.
The atmosphere in Ondo State is still mournful following the death of the former state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, during a protracted illness, in a hospital in Germany.
The death of the former Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum was painful to many people in the state, particularly his kinsmen, his aides, and political associates, who believed he would survive the battle against the deadly cancer, having spent some months in the hospital in the European country and come back to continue his good work of governing the state.
Akeredolu would be missed for many things, especially his bravery and courage in tackling the issues that affect the welfare of Ondo people. In the condolence messages written by almost all the sympathisers, the common words used to describe him are courage and fearlessness.
President Bola Tinubu, in his condolence messages, attested to the fact that Akeredolu was a fearless man he said, “Today, I mourn a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses, brother, confidant, political soul mate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.” It could be recalled that he championed the cause of establishment of the South-West Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun, which consequently ameliorated the activities of some criminals among the Fulani herdsmen in the region, even in the light of threats and criticism against the unprecedented formation of the region’s security outfits in certain quarters.
Also, it could be noted that the death of the All Progressives Congress chieftain and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association was a landmark in the history of the Sunshine State and the country as he died while serving the state, making him the fourth Nigeria civilian governor in such circumstance since 1979 – a former Sokoto State, Alhaji Sheu Kangiwa, who died in 1981, being the first, while Mamman Ali of Yobe State died in 2009 during a protracted illness and Mr Patrick Yakowa, a former governor of Kaduna State lost his life in a helicopter accident in 2012.
As it is now, Akeredolu’s demise has left Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to be the only surviving past executive governor of the Sunshine State as all other past executive governors of the state since 1979 had gone to the great beyond – Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Elder Bamidele Olumilua ( both of the old Ondo State) passed on in 1997 and 2020 respectively, Chief Adebayo Adefarati died in 2007 while Dr Olusegun Agagu departed in 2013.
Already, it has been insinuated that the governor may appoint either the Chief of Staff to Akeredolu, Chief Olugbenga Ale or the state Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Razak Obe as the deputy governor. The duo were said to be at Aiyedatiwa’s side during his political travail. They were also from the two senatorial districts that would produce the deputy governor. While Ale is from the Northern senatorial district, Obe hailed from the Central senatorial district. The governor is from the southern senatorial district.
Another serious battle the governor would face is the party’s ticket ahead of the governorship election coming up later in the year as it was confirmed that he too has the ambition of becoming the next governor of the state.
Many believe that Aiyedatiwa faced the last crisis with some APC chieftains in the state due to his ambition of succeeding late Governor Akeredolu. Before things fell apart between them a video recently showed the deceased praising Aiyedatiwa for his support and loyalty and he (Akeredolu) promised to reciprocate the gesture, saying his deputy would continue from where he stopped.
To this end, getting the APC ticket in the April primary may be a herculean task for Aiyedatiwa as there may be a gang up against him to prevent him from using his current position to win the ticket at the expense of other gladiators.
Another issue before the governor is that of the appointment of 18 caretaker local government chairmen and the 33 Local Council Development Areas, created by Akeredolu, who had been stopped by the court from operating. Those affected, are loyal to the late former governor, who appointed them but they are now jittery and confused as they don’t know what would become of their fate in the new Aiyedatiwa’s administration. Some of the loyalists of the new governor across the 18 local government areas of the state are also eyeing these positions. It is a big issue before the governor as he is raising loyalists across the state ahead of the forthcoming party’s primary.
Apart from politics, one of the applauses for the Akeredolu administration was its policy on infrastructural development of the state and before the late governor departed, he had embarked on many infrastructural projects which had not been completed. It is expected that Aiyedatiwa would not abandon those projects, though he had promised to sustain the legacy of his former boss. Doing this may earn him the support of the people of the state.
While signing the 2024 budget into law, the governor had promised to continue where Akeredolu stopped.
Meanwhile, the National Vice Chairman (South-West) of the APC, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke has called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to unite the party and ensure that all members of the party are together
Kekemeke, who spoke recently on TVC News, said,” I think Governor Aiyedatiwa should build on the foundation that the President has laid by ensuring that all the tendencies in the party are put together. Our party is in an election mood next year. I think Governor Aiyedatiwa as a leader and father of all, must see everyone as a compatriot and partner, not minding that he is interested in running for governorship next year.”
The APC chieftain advised the governor to do away with promoters of divisions and factions in the state.
“There are elements who believe that it is their turn, there are elements who believe that they want to get back at the people who have hitherto excluded them, and there are elements who believe that they are responsible for the success of Governor Aiyedatiwa. I think he should shun them and behave like a statesman. He has the capacity but he should be sober with power.”
