Allies of the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have expressed displeasure over the sudden substitution of the nominees from the state into the South West Development Commission (SWDC).
According to sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the camp of Aiyedatiwa, the preferred candidate for the SWDC Executive Director of Projects, former Commissioner for Energy Rasak Obe, was substituted with Olugbenga Olufehinti, a nominee allegedly backed by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
Last Friday, Tinubu announced the SWDC board, chaired by former Ekiti Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, with Osun State’s Charles Akinola as Managing Director.
Ondo State’s slots went to Adewinle Martins (Okitipupa LGA) and Olufehinti (Akoko South East LGA). While Martins was retained, the governor’s camp expressed outrage over Obe’s removal, viewing it as a direct affront to Aiyedatiwa’s authority.
Infuriated by the development, Aiyedatiwa promptly relocated to Abuja on Monday to express his displeasure with the situation. His allies within his camp labelled the substitution a “grave disrespect” to Ondo State’s leadership, criticising Bamidele for allegedly overstepping the governor’s prerogative to nominate state representatives.
Some of Aiyedatiwa’s supporters interpreted the replacement of their candidate as disrespect to the office of the state governor. This is even as senators from Ondo State have shown lack of interest as the crisis of confidence brews between Aiyedatiwa and Bamidele.
Meanwhile, it was gathered that the development is causing a political rift between Aiyedatiwa and Bamidele, amid the governor’s strained relationship with the three senators from the state.
While the governor’s camp is pushing for the replacement of Adeniyi Adegbonmire, the current senator from Ondo Central with Abiola Makinde (representing Ondo West/Ondo East federal constituency), Ondo South senator and billionaire businessman Jimoh Ibrahim is also not a friend of the governor.
A chieftain of the APC in the state, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “This is an insult to Governor Aiyedatiwa and the people of Ondo State.
“It is the exclusive right of Aiyedatiwa to nominate members from the state into this board, and Senator Bamidele has disrespected the office of Ondo State Governor by removing the governor’s candidate from the list. Aiyedatiwa and Senator Bamidele were once political allies, but recent events, if not well managed, may turn these two political friends into foes.
Recall that before Aiyedatiwa emerged as the APC candidate during last year’s governorship primary election in Ondo State, Senator Bamidele played a crucial role as his benefactor, allegedly mobilising Abuja-based APC leaders to back Aiyedatiwa.
An insider from the APC in the state revealed that the governor has not been fair to some groups in the party who opposed him during the primary election, particularly supporters of his late boss, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
“I think those who removed one of Aiyedatiwa’s candidates did so for fairness. You cannot continue to punish those who didn’t support you during the primary by sidelining them in your state and also expect to take all Abuja appointments for members of your camp,” the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, when contacted over the development, a media aide to the Senate leader, Gboyega Akinsanmi, declined to speak on the issue.
While describing the rift between Aiyedatiwa and Bamidele as unfounded, the Director of Media and Publicity of APC in the state, Steve Otaloro, said, “While we acknowledge that some supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa may feel that the replacement of a candidate is a sign of disrespect, we encourage everyone to recognise that political appointments are complex and involve multiple considerations.
“The governor’s office deserves respect, and we urge our supporters to focus on the bigger picture of party unity and collaboration rather than allowing emotions to dictate their responses.
“The claim that Governor Aiyedatiwa relocated to Abuja to complain is misleading. The governor, like any other leader, is entitled to meet with national leaders to discuss matters affecting our state and party. Such engagements are part of his responsibilities as a governor and should not be misconstrued as a sign of discontent or conflict.”
