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 my 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.

Although Ondo State has lost an illustrious son, the Office of Governor could not be vacant, this necessitated the swearing-in of the former Deputy and acting Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the seventh executive governor of the state, shortly after the death of Akeredolu was announced. This was done in line with the provision of the constitution, as there could not be a vacuum in the Office of the Governor.

Aiyedatiwa, who hitherto battled political war against him while his erstwhile boss was on the sick bed, is expected to take up tasks from where his late boss stopped.

There are many tasks before the new governor to be done, failure of which may be unhealthy for the state. Many believed that his first assignment was supposed to be the announcement of his deputy. But at the time of filing this report, Governor Aiyedatiwa was said to be busy making consultations on several political matters.

It was gathered that during his first visit, after being sworn in, to President Tinubu, in Lagos, last Thursday, Aiyedatiwa was said to have been advised by the former not to appoint a deputy governor yet until the APC in the state is organised and members are reconciled. It could be recalled that during the last crisis that lingered for months, Aiyedatiwa, reportedly fought against many party chieftains, Akeredolu’s aides and some members of the state House of Assembly. The party was said to have been divided over the matter, hence the advice of President Tinubu.

A reliable source informed our correspondent that, at the meeting with Mr President, Tinubu advised him (Aiyedatiwa) to first reconcile with all the aggrieved members of the party in the state before picking his deputy.

The source said, “He (Aiyedatiwa) was in Lagos yesterday (Thursday)where he met with the President. As he raised the issue of the Deputy Governor, the President asked him to go back to Ondo and reorganise the party first and make sure he also reconciled with the aggrieved members, before talking about the deputy governorship.

According to the source, the advice of the President may have prevented the governor from taking some action unilaterally without the consent of the party leaders and elders in the state.

“As it is now, he may not be able to dissolve the cabinet against the expectations of some people or sack any member of the cabinet for now but he is still consulting,” the source stated.

On the other hand, the source disclosed that pressure was mounting on the governor by some of his loyalists and associates, who are allegedly lobbying to be appointed in the new government.

They are expecting the governor to dissolve the entire cabinet of late Akeredolu to give room for fresh hands some of whom had allegedly been ‘starved’ by the Akeredolu administration. They believe it is now their turn to benefit from the new ‘cake’. The governor has to apply wisdom in order not to create more enemies for himself.

Before any possible dissolution of the cabinet, by the new administration, some members of the cabinet and some Akeredolu’s appointees had already quit the government.

Those who had tendered their resignation letters included, the Special Adviser to the Governor Akeredolu on Union Matters and Special Duties, Mr. Dare Aragbaye, and the Chief Press Secretary the late governor, Mr Richard Olatunde; the state Commissioner for Infrastructure Lands and Housing, Mr Aminu Raimi; the Special Assistant on Photography to the former governor, Mr. Olawale Abolade, and the Senior Special Assistant to Akeredolu on Special Duties and Strategy, Dr. Doyin Odebowale.

Apart from these resignees, it was learned that some other aides of the former governor might drop their letter very soon. If they are not sacked, certainly, the governorship aspirants in the cabinet will voluntarily resign before the forthcoming primary of the party, coming up in April 2024.

Owing to this latest development, it could be observed that there have been alignment and realignment in the political space of the state as some chieftains of the APC had allegedly stepped up their lobby game to be considered in the new Aiyedatiwa’s administration. All these are said to be causing internal confusion in the party. But Aiyedatiwa, it was reliably gathered, would consider, first, those who stood by him during crises.

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.

He said, “The focus of this budget as said in my Budget Speech, is human capital development. Emphasis would also be placed on climate change, clean and sustainable environment, rural development, and food security while ongoing legacy infrastructural projects of our dear departed Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON would be completed. Furthermore, we would keep meeting salary, pension, and gratuity obligations to our serving and retired officers, as applicable.”

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.” (The PUNCH)

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