The newly sworn in governor of Ondo State, Fortunate Aiyedatiwa has come underneath immense stress from numerous vested teams within the state over his alternative of deputy. HAKEEM GBADAMOSI, writes on the strikes by the governor and the stakeholders to find out who the cap matches.
The just lately sworn-in Governor Fortunate Ayedatiwa of Ondo State, is at the moment underneath intense stress to decide on his deputy from an array of aspirants within the state after he turned governor following the demise of his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, final week. The stress on Aiyedatiwa is coming primarily from those that hail from the northern and central senatorial district of the state. Akeredolu hailed from the Northern district and there are speculations that the quantity two slot must be ceded to the district underneath the present dispensation. The argument is that the zone will full an eight-year tenure in workplace which is predicted to finish in February 2025 after which will probably be the flip of the southern senatorial district to provide the subsequent governor of the state. Coincidentally, the newly sworn in Aiyedatiwa hails from the Southern district although the late Akeredolu, on a variety of events, by no means hid his choice for Aiyedatiwa to succeed him.
Nonetheless, it’s too early to foretell, if the southern a part of the state which has produced governor as soon as for the reason that creation of the state. Within the 47 years of its creation, the Southern zone produced the late Olusegun Agagu, who dominated the state for six years earlier than his tenure was abruptly put to an finish via judicial declaration. Aiyedatiwa may have many hurdles to cross if he throws his hat within the ring within the race to Alagbaka home in 2024, as a lot of robust contenders from the southern senatorial district have proven curiosity for the quantity job even earlier than Akeredolu’s departure to the world past.
Some 4 months to the first of the social gathering to provide the social gathering’s standard-bearer for the November 13 governorship election within the state, Aiyedatiwa is presently involved and battling with who turns into his deputy apart from different challenges.
The scheming on who turns into the subsequent deputy governor of the state has begun. Amongst those that could also be thought-about for the quantity two place embody Chief Olugbenga Ale, who’s Akeredolu’s Chief of Employees, the state Commissioner for Vitality and mineral assets, Razaq Obe; former Commissioner for Girls Affairs and Social Improvement within the state, Omowunmi Olatunji-Ohwovoriole; Mrs. Jumoke Ajasin- Anifowose, the daughter of the late governor of the State, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, amongst others.
Some analysts are of the opinion that the association doesn’t favour any of the aspirants from the North on the bottom that after the governor comes from the South, the deputy ought to emerge from the central district. However different observers say it will be an honour to assuage the Owo individuals with the submit of deputy governor following the sudden demise of their son. Nonetheless, a supply claimed that the individuals of the city are divided over who must be pushed ahead to finish Akeredolu’s time period. He mentioned whereas some are rooting for Akeredolu’s Chief of employees, Ale, others are backing Ajasin-Anifowose, who as soon as contested the governorship ticket with Akeredolu.
Within the central district, some people are additionally mentioned to be lobbying to be thought-about for the quantity two seat. Amongst them is claimed to incorporate the Vitality Commissioner, Rasaq Obe, perceived to shut ally of the brand new governor. Nonetheless, some pundits declare the romance between the brand new governor and Obe may not endure with time. Certainly one of them famous that Obe was too vocal, whereas, the governor is a person of few phrases. They worry the potential for a love misplaced between them.
In the meantime, Aiyedatiwa is confronted with a herculean process of bringing all stakeholders collectively, because the ill-health of the late governor created a gulf inside the APC. That is seen within the exit of some members of the Akeredolu’s cupboard, who consider that with the demise of the authorized luminary, their providers will now not be thought-about mandatory. The resignation of those aides is seen as an open expression of dissatisfaction with the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as governor and wouldn’t wait to be proven the best way out by the brand new helmsman.
A lot of the aides, who resigned from the federal government, hinged their motion on the demise of Akeredolu who appointed them. The Particular Adviser to the Governor on Union Issues and Particular Duties, Dare Aragbaye, in his resignation letter mentioned “My resolution to resign is predicated on the unlucky demise of my principal, a fearless and trustworthy chief, Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, whom I’m loyal to, even in demise.”
The tone of the resignation letter of the Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde; Senior Particular Assistant on Particular Duties, Dr Doyin Odebowale; and Commissioner for Works, Lands and Infrastructure, Mr Raheem Aminu, was all related.
There’s a hypothesis that many others may resign from the cupboard, both to contest in opposition to Ayedatiwa or step apart in respect for his or her principal, Akeredolu. Those that have overtly proven curiosity within the governorship race embody the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Wale Akinterinwa, the Secretary to the State Authorities (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu. One other side the place some observers consider Aiyedatiwa want to string softly is a rumoured plan to impose his candidate on the APC management within the state. They’ve suggested him transfer nearer to the social gathering hierarchy within the state and use the APC as an instrument to safe his ambition. A prime social gathering member famous that Aiyedatiwa will likely be banking on the construction of his late boss to contest within the main. The supply mentioned: “The irony of it’s that Aiyedatiwa is just not on the identical web page with the social gathering management. The Adetimehin led government, until concrete preparations are put in place by governor Aiyedatiwa could halt his ambition.” He maintained that any try and dissolve the management may flip to a severe disaster within the state APC. In keeping with him, some hawks have began placing stress on Aiyedatiwa to dissolve the prevailing political construction, saying this may increasingly spell doom for the social gathering. The highest social gathering member mentioned although dissolving social gathering management may pave method for Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists to take over the affairs of the social gathering, he mentioned the event could appeal to the anger of the APC leaders whose nominees could be compelled out of workplace. In keeping with him, the APC construction within the state stays within the agency grip of Adetimehin, the social gathering’s chairman, whereas there is no such thing as a love misplaced between Aiyedatiwa and the chairman, as observers held that this performed out in the course of the inauguration of Ayedatiwa because the governor of the state.
In the meantime, the League of Imams in Akure led by its Chairman, Shaykh Muhammad Raji Kewuyemi and Secretary, Imam Qamardeen Bintinlaye has echoed the yearnings of the Muslim group within the state for a Muslim to be chosen as Aiyedatiwa’s deputy. They argued that such a transfer would promote non secular concord, political steadiness, social justice, fairness and equity.
A celebration chieftain mentioned there was want for Ayedatiwa to unite the social gathering than inflicting division. He mentioned this is without doubt one of the causes President Bola Tinubu tasked Aiyedatiwa to unite the social gathering. In keeping with the chieftain, step one the governor ought to take is session with social gathering leaders and different stakeholders in choosing his deputy. The chieftain mentioned: “It’s the prerogative of the governor to select his deputy. The session will likely be mere formality as a result of he has an even bigger process of successful the first.”
A few of these individuals being paraded are usually not on the playing cards. What Aiyedatiwa wants is a politician as a result of he isn’t a politician. The social gathering is just not united. He has been informed to carry everyone collectively. His method of session earlier than choosing his deputy would decide how far he’s keen to go to make sure social gathering unity.”
The state Home of Meeting will even have an necessary function to play within the alternative of the deputy governor for Aiyedatiwa. The governor might need his reservation on the function of the lawmakers, having been served with impeachment discover, signed by many of the lawmakers. Although the impeachment course of was quashed and halted by the court docket earlier than the political options that laid to relaxation the disaster between Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa. The political base of the principal officers of the Home of Meeting will even play a significant function within the collection of a deputy governor. The present speaker hails from Ondo Central whereas his Deputy, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan is from the South; the Chief, Honourable Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, is from the North senatorial district.
In the meantime, numerous teams have been demanding for the deputy governor seat as Ayedatiwa commenced consultations over his alternative of a deputy governor, citing explanation why specific part or particular person deserves the slot. A gaggle of indigenes underneath the aegis of Ondo State Optimistic Thinkers, referred to as on Aiyedatiwa to hunt out for an skilled hand that can assist him to stabilise the state and convey in regards to the mandatory ambiance to maneuver it ahead. The group, via its President, Bodeola Balogun, noticed that “the problem earlier than Aiyedatiwa proper now’s easy methods to reconcile the already fractured state following the political disaster that engulfed the state within the final three months or so. We, due to this fact, name on Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa to keep away from choosing a deputy that will not add worth to governance within the state.
“Although some names have been thrown up and in addition behind the scene lobbying have been ongoing, we really feel that the governor wants a grassroot politician who would assist him settle right down to work and in addition humble sufficient to assist Mr Governor galvanise the individuals of the state behind him. On this method, we need to counsel Honourable Victor Olabimtan who is just not new to the Akeredolu-Aiyedatiwa camp. Olabimtan was the Director Basic for Akeredolu in 2016 and in addition performed the identical function throughout Aketi re-election in 2020. A former Speaker of the State Home of Meeting and one time governorship aspirant, Olabimtan has political contacts throughout the state, which places him in a greater place to assist the governor reconcile the already divided state.” They described Olabimtan as an astute politician and a grassroot mobiliser that Aiyedatiwa might want to assist stabilise the state due to his attain and contacts.
One other group, nevertheless, differed on this, as they particularly referred to as for the seat to be seeded to Owo. A socio-cultural group, Imade Improvement Affiliation (IDA) requested Aiyedatiwa to think about an Owo indigene as his deputy to compensate for the lack of their son, Akeredolu. They acknowledged that any transfer in opposition to this may increasingly result in additional polarisation of the individuals alongside ethnic and political divides. The chairman of the group, Segun Ogunbadeniyi, mentioned Owo, as an ethnic group, has a robust curiosity in presenting a candidate for the deputy governorship place, saying the curiosity of Owo should be effectively protected within the scheme of issues with the demise of Akeredolu, an indigene of the city. The group’s argument was hinged on the joint mandate of Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, saying will probably be honour for a politician from Owo extraction to finish Akeredolu’s time period. He mentioned: “The battle for the mandate was fought by Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa. It’s to the honour of Akeredolu that the ticket should be maintained. Aiyedatiwa should prioritize what is going to carry peace and unity to the state. The occasion in the previous couple of months has polarized the state each in physique and spirit. For us in Owo, we’re able to work with him and convey about unity and prosperity to the state. As a kingdom, historical past has proven that Owo has been making sacrifices for Yoruba nation and Ondo State and Akeredolu’s tireless efforts to guard Nigeria and Yoruba nation got here to us at nice price.
“A lot of our individuals have suffered loss and hardship. Our sacrifices should be acknowledged and honoured. Altering the mandate will quantity to a different terrorist assault on Owo. The problem on the bottom must be approached with empathy, respect, and transparency to indicate that Aiyedatiwa is dedicated to constructing bridges and discovering widespread floor with all stakeholders. Any try and erase Owo from the calculation till February 2025 by Aiyedatiwa, in our opinion, is unfair, not equitable, and may trigger division within the physique politics.”
For now, the individuals of the state are interested in who’s picked as deputy governor. The problem dominates dialogue and point out in most political circles within the state. The permutations have ranged from the elegant to the ludicrous, relying on the calibre and pedigree of these on the centre of the discourse.