• All Not Well, We Need Tinubu, APC’s Intervention, Says Arogbofa
• Akeredolu Has Betrayed Ondo People – PDP
• It’s Time For Assembly To Invoke Doctrine Of Necessity – Lawyer
• ‘Governor’s Location Not Hindering Governance’

In the past few weeks, there has been a lot of uncertainties in the political atmosphere in Ondo State owing to the ill-health of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his subsequent arrival from a three-month medical trip to Germany five weeks ago, and the move to impeach his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Just as it was in the tail end of Akeredolu first term, during which he had a running battle with his first deputy, Agboola Ajayi, the same scenario is playing out with his current deputy.

With Agboola alleged to have manipulated to oust his boss while he was ill, the same accusation is dangling on Aiyedatiwa, with the tune of disloyalty on his part reverberating in the camp of the governor.

The feuds that have been ensuing between Akeredolu and his deputies seem to be a recurring theme, particularly anytime he is sick and travels out of the state or country for treatment.

The governor is purported to be in the hunt for a new deputy governor following a strained relationship with Aiyedatiwa. If successful, Akeredolu will break the record of using three deputies within six years of his ongoing eight-year span in office. This does raise questions about Akeredolu’s leadership style and his ability to maintain working relationships with his deputies.

However, since his arrival from Germany five weeks ago, he has yet to be seen in the state as expected by the people who had anticipated his return.

Since his arrival in the country on September 7, 2023, the governor has not been sighted at public functions or any state events. The only time Akeredolu was sighted was at Ibadan, when he received members of the Ondo State House of Assembly and cabinet members during the week of his arrival at Ibadan.

Shortly after his arrival, he also played host to the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and other national officers of the party.

With the situation already raising concerns in the state, stakeholders have stressed the need for urgent intervention.

Speaking on the development, an elder statesman, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, appealed to the warring factions within the governor’s and deputy governor’s camps to sheath their swords in the interest of peace in the state.

He said: “It is in interest of the state and the number one and two persons (the governor and his deputy) for them to reconcile their differences so that we can have peace and continue to progress in the state.

“If the governor and his deputy are at loggerheads, we can’t have peace, we can’t make progress, and the state may be the worse for it. There must be a way to restore peace. One would like the national body of their party (APC) to intensify their efforts so that peace can be restored.

“My contention is that they should discuss their affairs. If your deputy has erred, call him to order so that we can have peace because there is nobody who is perfect. The more they allow this thing to linger, the more unpleasant things will happen in the state.”

Arogbofa further stressed that “a lot is being said. We don’t know where the governor is. We know he is not well, and what is happening now is not the right thing to make him better. People should try to de-emphasize all these problems so he too can be better. Another appeal to those who are close to Mr. Governor is not to keep poisoning his mind but to see how they can resolve issues as early as possible.

“I want to plead with the intermediaries of the governor and the deputy governor to please be good citizens. They should allow these people (Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa) to meet if they haven’t already. When you have people poisoning the minds of two leaders, it is not the best for the polity.”

On his part, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state described the turn of events as not only pathetic but condemnable.

The state PDP publicity secretary, Kennedy Peretei, who spoke with The Guardian, said, “The people who eagerly fasted and prayed for the quick recovery of Akeredolu while his medical leave lasted, are shocked that the man they prayed for his return to Nigeria has not been seen for more than five weeks in Ondo State, where he was elected to govern.

“Instead, what we have seen is the fireworks in the APC for Akeredolu’s successor in next year’s governorship election. Interestingly, there is no better proof of betrayal of the Ondo State people than the total absence of governance, occasioned by governor’s disappearance and the macabre dance engaged in by his loyalists, the Ondo State House of Assembly, and the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

“This set of people have no business with governance, as the opportunity given them has turned out to be intolerable pain for the people. I am very sure that in next year’s election, they will be taught the bitter lesson of taking people for granted.”

On his part, an Ondo State-based human rights lawyer, Allen Sowore, stressed the need for the doctrine of necessity to be invoked over the development.

According to Sowore, the Assembly must do the needful in order to save the state from sliding into anarchy, as the situation is already tensed in the state. He gave the advice, making reference to the Goodluck Jonathan-Umaru Musa Yar’Adua example.

“The present political quagmire in Ondo State is akin to the same above. Interestingly, the doctrine of necessity is now enshrined in the Constitution. All that is left is for the state actors to act.

“It is no secret that Governor Akeredolu has been absent and unavailable to perform his duties since April 3, 2023, leaving the state without governance and direction. His recent staged return from Germany and the subsequent submission of a resumption letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly have exposed the challenges the cabal has been hiding from the people. Since this orchestrated return, no one in the state has seen or heard from the governor.”

While reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, stated that the location of Akeredolu has not hindered governance in the state.

Olatunde said that the government is not only functional but, according to him, also actively advancing the state’s development.

He said: “The location of the Governor, therefore, should not be sensationalised, but rather, the focus should be on the tangible progress being made in the state.

“In fact, the Governor, upon his return to the country, immediately held meetings with crucial stakeholders to discuss matters of state importance, showcasing his commitment to the state’s development irrespective of his location.
“It’s noteworthy to mention that the Governor has recently signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into law. This is a progressive step towards the development of the state, further reinforcing the fact that the government is operational and effectively functioning.

“In the same vein, the various state ministries are delivering efficiently on their mandates. Specifically, the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning recently commenced a series of town hall meetings in preparation for the 2024 budget, demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparent and inclusive governance.

“As of this moment, construction work is in progress at the Onyarubulem-Shagari/Irese flyover, which is a significant landmark as the first flyover in Akure, the state capital, since Ondo State was created. This administration also constructed the first flyover in the state at Ore, further emphasising its commitment to infrastructural development.

“The Governor has continually expressed appreciation to the good people of Ondo State for their unwavering support and prayers during his medical vacation. He issued a personal press statement, expressing his gratitude towards President Bola Tinubu, the GCFR, the good people of Ondo State, and other distinguished Nigerians.

“The Governor instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing to commence the permanent rehabilitation of the Akure-Owena-Ondo Road. This action was taken to prevent unnecessary hardship and the loss of lives on the federal highways located within Ondo State territory.

“To alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the state government, through the palliative committee led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, is actively distributing palliatives to the state’s residents. Moreover, the state’s free school shuttle buses have resumed operations, providing transportation for children to school. Civil servants are also benefiting from special transportation arrangements to and from work.

“Significant progress is being made in the construction of the ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure. Furthermore, the government ensures the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.”