Akeredolu initiated the industrial revolution in Ondo State, committing himself to the alternative road to Lagos through the ocean side of Araromi, built kilometres of roads and moved into the hinterlands to develop the rural communities. He identified himself with the struggles of the people.

Once when the people of the oil producing communities protested the composition of the Niger-Delta Development Commission, Akeredolu issued a press statement rejecting the nominee of the federal government for the NDDC Board, even though the said nominee came from his home town of Owo. That is vintage Akeredolu.

So, when I look back into his personality and what is presently playing out in Ondo State, I then go into my closet to pray for Akeredolu because this is surely not the Aketi that we all know.

What would be the reason for throwing the Sunshine State into such a state of confusion and stagnation? When he was traveling abroad to seek medical care, Akeredolu duly informed the people of the State through the House of Assembly and he handed over power to his Deputy as prescribed by law. But since his return in September, Ondo State has more or less become a theatre of the absurd. And I know that this is not Aketi at all.

What is the issue? That the Deputy Governor has an ambition to succeed him? And this is the reason why the entire state should be held down to this terrible state of anomie? Or that the aides of the Deputy Governor published an obituary concerning the Governor? Is the Deputy Governor God? Who can say a thing concerning anyone and expect it to come to pass when God has not commanded or approved it?

How many times were such ‘obituaries’ published of and concerning President Muhammadu Buhari, who not only survived them all but proceeded to finish his tenure? In fact, we were told of persons who wished Buhari dead but died before Buhari left office.

I read an article alleging falsely that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo attended a prayer session where it was whispered that Buhari’s health had deteriorated and prayers were then offered for Osinbajo to succeed him to which the latter said Amen.

Was that enough reason for Buhari to throw Nigeria into crisis to initiate impeachment against Osinbajo who demonstrated rare courage in going into the creeks to meet militants in Buhari’s absence?

Whatever the ‘offences’ of his Deputy, once there is humility to plead, there has to be magnanimity to pardon. In the same way that those who wished Aketi dead cannot determine his life here on earth, so too will no man but God determine the fate of his Deputy in the succession race. No one can play God.

A government of cabals cannot be the legacy of Governor Akeredolu for the people of Ondo State. Two people were elected to run the affairs of the State and if for any reason one of them is not available surely the people must be entitled to the benefit of their choice. There is no other way to say this.

Once the Governor for any reason at all is not available physically, power must go to his Deputy. It is as simple as that. We all trust God that given his faith and transparency, Aketi will surely and certainly survive his health travails. But he cannot and should not allow this ugly scenario to fester. Presently there is no one in charge of affairs in Ondo State.

The Governor is not available and his Deputy is not allowed to govern in his stead. Executive Council meetings are not being held, the State is not being represented in crucial places all over the federation and huge allocations to the state treasury are being spent daily.

The tenure of the local government administrations has expired and they have already been dissolved such that there is no governance in that crucial sector. What this means is that the people of Ondo State sleep and wake up every day listening to hearsays as the only mode of governance. It is not right at all.

I do not seek to exonerate the Deputy Governor in any way, for humility is always the hallmark of true leadership. So that if for any reason a leader chose to trust someone as his running mate, then there has to be demonstrable loyalty to the cause of that leader, when the time calls for it. In this regard, if issues are raised concerning the style of administration in the absence of the leader, sufficient explanations must be offered.

That said, it is very important to review the situation in Ondo State so that governance can resume. Given the stand of the APC leadership and the state of the law, any talk of impeachment of the Deputy Governor in the present reality of Ondo State can only be a strategy to sustain the cabal.

For me to write on the state of affairs of Ondo State given the very high esteem in which I hold Governor Akeredolu even up till this moment shows that all is not well.

Concluded

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)