Intrigues as Aiyedatiwa Takes Over as Acting Ondo Gov

Fidelis David reports that the Acting Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, last week resumed office but he may soon face real drama and political battle with his party, the All Progressives Congress’ gubernatorial primary coming up early in 2024.

Ondo, the sunshine state has been on the wrong side of the news for sometime now. The state was plunged into a period of unprecedented political turmoil, causing widespread concern and uncertainty among Nigerians and causing a ripple effect throughout the state’s political fabric.

Tracking the root of the crisis, the first battle was the ill-health of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who went on a three-month medical leave in Germany and his subsequent return to the country on September 7, 2023.

Second was the battle of the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, having to convince the whole world that the allegation by the Society for Women Empowerment, that he (Ayedatiwa) had physically assaulted his wife twice in four months was untrue.

Third was the battle of controversy over Akeredolu’s failure to return to the state or make public appearance, fuelling the suspicion that the state is being governed by proxy and the most dramatic manifestation of this conflict occurred when Akeredolu returned from his three-month medical vacation in Germany as he fired the media aides to his deputy over alleged misconduct.

The fourth was the unsuccessful impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa over allegation of approving N300 million to purchase a bulletproof SUV for personal use with the money sourced from the ‘Palliative Fund’ provided by the federal government to cushion effects of the removal of fuel subsidy in the states.

There were speculations that Akeredolu was having a running battle with his deputy, hence his refusal to transmit power to Aiyedatiwa in order to become acting governor as required by the constitution.

But, after the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, last Wednesday, Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa assumed office  shortly after his return to Akure, the state capital where he was received by a former Secretary to the State Government, Ifedayo Abegunde and his supporters.

Aiyedatiwa was confirmed by the state House of Assembly as acting governor following a letter through which Governor Akeredolu notified the members that he was proceeding on another round of medical leave.

Building Shared Future from Divided Past

Last Friday, Aiyedatiwa swung into action. The acting governor in a state broadcast marking his assumption of office upon transmission of power by his principal, admitted that the intrigues that ensued due to Akeredolu’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions.

He specifically called on political actors in the state to forget the crisis in the state by building a shared future from a divided past.

According to him: “Only God Almighty has explanations for what happened in the last few months. When nature sets in to hinder human performance, it is always a painful thing. We must acknowledge that the key to the well-being of a man is in the hands of God. It is not for us as humans to question God but to pray for His mercies upon our lives.

“It is in this regard that we admit with all sense of responsibility that the intrigues that ensued due to Mr Governor’s health challenges were indeed avoidable distractions. We ought to have done better so as to keep giving Ondo State the seamless and solid governance which Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, had established in the State in the last six-and-a-half years.

“As a government, we must appreciate the sovereignty of the people that voted us into office and we regret in no unmistakable terms the toll which this whole episode had inflicted on the psyche of the people and the development of the State. Despite all these, my dear people, I come to you today, to urge you all not to relent, as you have always done, in your prayers for the quick restoration of good health and strenght to our leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu.

“The events which have culminated in today’s address is a watershed in the annals of our experience as a people. It is not a moment of celebration, but rather a moment of sober reflection. A moment for us to really appreciate the collective burden of moving our State forward. The events of the past months have indeed challenged our love for our state and indeed democracy which we all profess.

“Throughout the whirlwind and the storm, we held fast to our firm believe that we owe it a duty to ourselves, the people and posterity not to allow the suspense and confusion go on without end because of its dire implications for our development and progress in Ondo State.”

Inclusive Engagement

Aiyedatiwa stressed that it was time for the state to return quickly to the path of accelerated progress that has eluded the State in the last few months, calling on political actors to excuse unnecessary distractions.

He said: “We can no longer be separated in interest or divided in purpose. We must stand together until the end. We must come back stronger and more determined to advance the welfare and security of our people, being the primary object of government as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended. Let us build a shared future from a divided past. We owe no less to the good people of the Sunshine State.

“Bearing in mind that the very huge responsibility of governance, I must emphasise that the task is indeed not one that one individual can accomplish alone.

It is a gigantic task that requires inclusive engagement, focus and collective actions from both the government and the governed. We, therefore, implore you all across the State, young and old, to contribute your utmost commitment, cooperation and support towards advancing the State in our development trajectory”.

Aiyedatiwa acknowledged the legacies and sterling leadership and character his principal provided for the state, describing him as a transformational and courageous leader who has turned around the fortunes of the State in the last six an-a-half years.

“In all facets of our development, be it governance, security, health, education, economy, infrastructure, industrialisation and others, his footprints are foundational and will serve the state in greater heights in the future. Above all and as you all know our Governor has been a strong, effectual and respected voice in matters of national development, doing the Sunshine State proud at all fora. The State will forever be grateful to Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for driving our development so well.”

The Acting Governor said he’s confident that democracy in state would be further enriched with the hard lessons learnt from the crisis.

“For us in government, this whole experience should open a new place in our hearts; a place where we must appreciate that the trust vested in us as a part of the small privileged percentage of people, must be used for the best welfare of the larger percentage of the people. We must rise far above the intrigues and instability of the past and roll up our sleeves in service of the people. We are nothing but trustees of the people with whom we share a common humanity. We must and we will exercise with utmost discretion the privileges conferred on us by the great people of Ondo State.

“Finally and bearing in mind the foregoing, I therefore wish to assure you all that it is with a deep sense of humility and a heart of absolute commitment to the good of our Sunshine State that I accept the onerous assignment, during this temporary absence of Mr. Governor, to serve you as the Acting Governor of Ondo State.

“Yesterday is already behind us. This is the time to carry aloft, with love and affection for one another, the laudable vision and mission of the. Governor for the State. I appeal to every member of the Government of Ondo state for your genuine support, cooperation and dedication.”

He added that the state need a renewed unity to berth the significant and accelerated development clearly envisioned and vigorously pursued by Governor Akeredolu, noting that what happened in the past was a temporary delay in the State’s democratic journey.

Freezing LGs Accounts

Meanwhile, there are concerns in the state as it was gathered that the acting governor issued a directive to freeze all the 18 local government area councils accounts, effective immediately.

A top local government official revealed that a directive had been issued to Head of Local Government Administration to the effect.

He said “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency, the Acting Governor of Ondo state had directed that all spending/ expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories, no withdrawal of any sort until further directive. Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”

However, reacting to the reported freezing of local government accounts, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said it was a misrepresentation of fact.

According to her: “Necessary complimentary personnel/civil servants have been deployed to the LCDA(s) and they have been advised to exercise due diligence and processes in their operations by the Government. The State Government is committed to proper functioning of the new thirty-three LCDA(s) and the existing 18 Local Government Area in the state as a way of enhancing development at the grassroot.

“The Government is aware of a suit filed by the opposition party before the State High Court, and we are hopeful that contending issues before the Court will be decided shortly. While a date has been fixed for the conduct of Local Government election in the State, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) has started working on delineation of a minimum of 5 Councillorship Electoral Wards in each of the LCDA(s).

“Delineation of these electoral Wards by ODIEC is part of the transition guidelines provided for in the Government White Paper for transiting from 18 LGA(s) to 51 LGA(s)/LCDA(s) in the state. Government is committed to a smooth transition that will usher a democratic Elected Local Government Area in Ondo State.”

Rejection of Akeredolu’s Chief Protocol Officer

Also, like domesticated cats always very cautious in every step they take when moving around, the deputy governor also directed the Chief of Protocol to his principal, Bola Alabi, to step aside and replaced him with the Deputy Chief of Staff, Olusegun Omojuwa.

In a circular sent to all the concerned departments in the state by Omojuwa, titled ‘Preparation of the acting governor’s engagements’, Alabi is however, expected to go back to his duty post when the governor returns from the medical vacation in Germany.

According to the circular: “The acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor will be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.

“The Chief of Protocol (Mr Bola Alabi) will take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr Governor resumes from his medical vacation.Kindly take note for your guidance and co-operation from time to time.”

On the reported suspension of Akeredolu’s Chief of Protocol, the state Commissioner for Information said, “our attention has been drawn to the social media misrepresentation of our Circular Letter No. FAD/DG.156/98 of 14th December 2023 in respect of the Preparation of the Acting Governor’s Engagement, which has been mischievously reported to the effect that the Chief of Protocol (CoP) to the Governor, Mr. Bola Alabi, has been placed on suspension. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Chief of Protocol to Mr Governor has not been placed on suspension by the Acting Governor nor by any person.

“It should be noted that the schedule for the preparation of Mr. Governor’s Engagements is less than two percent of the CoP’s responsibilities.

“Usually, suspension from duty would have warranted removal of salary and privileges, which does not happen in this case. As we speak, Mr. Bola Alabi is busy with Mr. Governor. Nevertheless, the Actinh Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is prepared, where necessary, to make changes that would guarantee the effective running of the administration.”

Aside these, it was gathered that the Deputy Governor had been attending to some administrative matters in the office and had been holding several meetings with various stakeholders since he assumed office.

It was, however, gathered that he had not met with members of the State Executive Council officially since Wednesday that he began to act as the governor.

War Yet to Come

Be that as it may, the eight-month old political battle in the sunshine state raised many cryptic dusts, fuss, uproar which culminated in devastation like the havoc of the inglorious atomic bomb in Hiroshima during the second world war.

Political pundits, however, believe that the real battle is yet to commence. A chieftain of the APC in Ondo state who spoke on condition of anonymity said the war has not even begun as the two camps will continue to fester badly ahead of the 2024 governorship primary and the major election slated for November 16, 2024.

To him, while Akeredolu may have fulfilled the presidential demand by formally yielding power to Aiyedatiwa before proceeding on another medical leave, the real drama will come with the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial primaries in few months to come.

He posited that political gladiators are worried that Aiyedatiwa could capitalize on his position as the acting governor to win the APC gubernatorial primary but which may not come easily.

Nonetheless, as intrigues, betrayal and ambition take over the political atmosphere of Ondo state early next year, the populace is already experiencing heightened levels of anxiety and uncertainty, while those who are familiar with the politics of the sunshine state believe that the election is going to be interesting, tense, intriguing and of wider participation by the electorate in the state.