The brand new Ondo State Governor, Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, is caught between retaining the state government council constituted by his late predecessor and satisfying his loyalists who’re in search of appointments as compensation for his or her loyalty, PETER DADA writes
The environment in Ondo State continues to be mournful following the dying of the previous state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who handed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, throughout a protracted sickness, in a hospital in Germany.
The dying of the previous Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Discussion board was painful to many individuals within the state, notably his kinsmen, his aides, and political associates, who believed he would survive the battle in opposition to the lethal most cancers, having spent some my months within the hospital within the European nation and are available again to proceed his good work of governing the state.
Akeredolu can be missed for a lot of issues, particularly his bravery and braveness in tackling the problems that have an effect on the welfare of Ondo individuals. Within the condolence messages written by virtually all of the sympathisers, the widespread phrases used to explain him are braveness and fearlessness.
President Bola Tinubu, in his condolence messages, attested to the truth that Akeredolu was a fearless man he stated, “Right this moment, I mourn a fighter and fearless defender of reality and the lots, brother, confidant, political soul mate, and the Government Governor of Ondo State.” It could possibly be recalled that he championed the reason for institution of the South-West Safety Community Company often known as Amotekun, which consequently ameliorated the actions of some criminals among the many Fulani herdsmen within the area, even within the mild of threats and criticism in opposition to the unprecedented formation of the area’s safety outfits in sure quarters.
Additionally, it could possibly be famous that the dying of the All Progressives Congress chieftain and former President of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation was a landmark within the historical past of the Sunshine State and the nation as he died whereas 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 primary, whereas Mamman Ali of Yobe State died in 2009 throughout a protracted sickness and Mr Patrick Yakowa, a former governor of Kaduna State misplaced his life in a helicopter accident in 2012.
As it’s now, Akeredolu’s demise has left Dr. Olusegun Mimiko to be the one surviving previous government governor of the Sunshine State as all different previous government governors of the state since 1979 had gone to the nice past – Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Elder Bamidele Olumilua ( each of the previous Ondo State) handed on in 1997 and 2020 respectively, Chief Adebayo Adefarati died in 2007 whereas Dr Olusegun Agagu departed in 2013.
Though Ondo State has misplaced an illustrious son, the Workplace of Governor couldn’t be vacant, this necessitated the swearing-in of the previous Deputy and performing Governor, Mr Fortunate Aiyedatiwa because the seventh government governor of the state, shortly after the dying of Akeredolu was introduced. This was achieved in step with the availability of the structure, as there couldn’t be a vacuum within the Workplace of the Governor.
Aiyedatiwa, who hitherto battled political warfare in opposition to him whereas his erstwhile boss was on the sick mattress, is predicted to take up duties from the place his late boss stopped.
There are a lot of duties earlier than the brand new governor to be achieved, failure of which can be unhealthy for the state. Many believed that his first task was imagined to be the announcement of his deputy. However on the time of submitting this report, Governor Aiyedatiwa was stated to be busy making consultations on a number of political issues.
It was gathered that in his first go to, after being sworn in, to Nigeria President, in Lagos, final Thursday, Aiyedatiwa was stated to have been suggested by the previous to not appoint a deputy governor but till the APC within the state is organised and members are reconciled. It could possibly be recalled that over the past disaster that lingered for months, Aiyedatiwa, reportedly fought in opposition to many occasion chieftains, Akeredolu’s aides and a few members of the state Home of Meeting. The occasion was stated to have been divided over the matter, therefore the recommendation of Nigeria President.
A dependable supply knowledgeable our correspondent that, on the assembly with Mr President, Tinubu suggested him (Aiyedatiwa) to first reconcile with all of the aggrieved members of the occasion within the state earlier than selecting his deputy.
The supply stated, “He (Aiyedatiwa) was in Lagos yesterday (Thursday)the place he met with the President. As he raised the problem of the Deputy Governor, the President requested him to return to Ondo and reorganise the occasion first and ensure he additionally reconciled with the aggrieved members, earlier than speaking in regards to the deputy governorship.
In keeping with the supply, the recommendation of the President might have prevented the governor from taking some motion unilaterally with out the consent of the occasion leaders and elders within the state.
“As it’s now, he might not be capable to dissolve the cupboard in opposition to the expectations of some individuals or sack any member of the cupboard for now however he’s nonetheless consulting,” the supply said.
However, the supply disclosed that stress was mounting on the governor by a few of his loyalists and associates, who’re allegedly lobbying to be appointed within the new authorities.
They’re anticipating the governor to dissolve the complete cupboard of late Akeredolu to provide room for contemporary fingers a few of whom had allegedly been ‘starved’ by the Akeredolu administration. They imagine it’s now their flip to learn from the brand new ‘cake’. The governor has to use knowledge so as to not create extra enemies for himself.
Earlier than any attainable dissolution of the cupboard, by the brand new administration, some members of the cupboard and a few Akeredolu’s appointees had already stop the federal government.
Those that had tendered their resignation letters included, the Particular Adviser to the Governor Akeredolu on Union Issues and Particular 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 Particular Assistant on Images to the previous governor, Mr Olawale Abolade, and the Senior Particular Assistant to Akeredolu on Particular Duties and Technique, Dr Doyin Odebowale.
Aside from these resignees, it was realized that another aides of the previous governor would possibly drop their letter very quickly. If they don’t seem to be sacked, actually, the governorship aspirants within the cupboard will voluntarily resign earlier than the forthcoming main of the occasion, arising in April 2024.
Owing to this newest growth, it could possibly be noticed that there have been alignment and realignment within the political area of the state as some chieftains of the APC had allegedly stepped up their foyer recreation to be thought-about within the new Aiyedatiwa’s administration. All these are stated to be inflicting inside confusion within the occasion. However Aiyedatiwa, it was reliably gathered, would think about, first, those that stood by him throughout crises.
Already, it has been insinuated that the governor might appoint both the Chief of Employees to Akeredolu, Chief Olugbenga Ale or the state Commissioner for Vitality and Mineral Sources, Mr Razak Obe because the deputy governor. The duo have been stated to be at Aiyedatiwa’s facet throughout his political travail. They have been additionally from the 2 senatorial districts that might produce the deputy governor. Whereas Ale is from the Northern senatorial district, Obe hailed from the Central senatorial district. The governor is from the southern senatorial district.
One other critical battle the governor would face is the occasion’s ticket forward of the governorship election arising later within the yr because it was confirmed that he too has the ambition of turning into the subsequent governor of the state.
Many imagine that Aiyedatiwa confronted the final disaster with some APC chieftains within the state resulting from his ambition of succeeding late Governor Akeredolu. Earlier than issues fell aside between them a video just lately confirmed the deceased praising Aiyedatiwa for his help and loyalty and he (Akeredolu) promised to reciprocate the gesture, saying his deputy would proceed from the place he stopped.
To this finish, getting the APC ticket within the April main could also be a herculean activity for Aiyedatiwa as there could also be a gang up in opposition to him to stop him from utilizing his present place to win the ticket on the expense of different gladiators.
One other subject earlier than the governor is that of the appointment of 18 caretaker native authorities chairmen and the 33 Native Council Growth Areas, created by Akeredolu, who had been stopped by the courtroom from working. These affected, are loyal to the late former governor, who appointed them however they’re now jittery and confused as they don’t know what would change into of their destiny within the new Aiyedatiwa’s administration. A number of the loyalists of the brand new governor throughout the 18 native authorities areas of the state are additionally eyeing these positions. It’s a massive subject earlier than the governor as he’s elevating loyalists throughout the state forward of the forthcoming occasion’s main.
Aside from politics, one of many applauses for the Akeredolu administration was its coverage on infrastructural growth of the state and earlier than the late governor departed, he had launched into many infrastructural tasks which had not been accomplished. It’s anticipated that Aiyedatiwa wouldn’t abandon these tasks, although he had promised to maintain the legacy of his former boss. Doing this may increasingly earn him the help of the individuals of the state.
Whereas signing the 2024 price range into legislation, the governor had promised to proceed the place Akeredolu stopped.
He stated, “The main target of this price range as stated in my Price range Speech, is human capital growth. Emphasis would even be positioned on local weather change, clear and sustainable surroundings, rural growth, and meals safety whereas ongoing legacy infrastructural tasks of our expensive departed Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON can be accomplished. Moreover, we might maintain assembly wage, pension, and gratuity obligations to our serving and retired officers, as relevant.”
In the meantime, the Nationwide Vice Chairman (South-West) of the APC, Mr Isaacs Kekemeke has known as on Governor Aiyedatiwa to unite the occasion and be certain that all members of the occasion are collectively
Kekemeke, who spoke just lately on TVC Information, stated,” I feel Governor Aiyedatiwa ought to construct on the inspiration that the President has laid by making certain that each one the tendencies within the occasion are put collectively. Our occasion is in an election temper subsequent yr. I feel Governor Aiyedatiwa as a pacesetter and father of all, should see everybody as a compatriot and associate, not minding that he’s taken with operating for governorship subsequent yr.”
The APC chieftain suggested the governor to get rid of promoters of divisions and factions within the state.
“There are components who imagine that it’s their flip, there are components who imagine that they need to get again on the individuals who have hitherto excluded them, and there are components who imagine that they’re liable for the success of Governor Aiyedatiwa. I feel he ought to shun them and behave like a statesman. He has the capability however he must be sober with energy.”