Akeredolu’s return triggers jubilation, panic in Ondo

.Ondo State Forum sues for calm

The return of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State from his three-month medical vacation in Germany has stirred both jubilation and panic in the state.
While most residents, including civil servants, market women, religious institutions, and others, celebrate the governor’s return, strong indications suggest that the deputy governor’s camp was caught off guard by this development.

The Minister of Interior, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Ondo State House of Assembly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, party leaders, labour leaders, and other prominent individuals have expressed their joy over the governor’s safe return.

Since his return on Thursday, Akeredolu has held several meetings, signed the Local Council Development Areas Bill into law, and attended official businesses.

An insider in the government, who prefers to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the matter, confided in our correspondent that the deputy governor and his camp were taken aback by the governor’s full recovery.

The source said: “The deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, attended the meetings held on Friday in Ibadan. When the governor walked in on his own two legs, the deputy governor seemed astonished.

“He seemed lost and preoccupied to the extent that during the national anthem, he kept staring at the governor in surprise.

“A few days before the governor’s return, Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor, had conversations with some people. During their conversations, when the people inquired about the governor’s return plans, Aiyedatiwa questioned if the governor would be flown into the country on a medical plane.”

The source claimed he and some others were not part of deputy governor’s camp as they resisted moves by the deputy.

“In fact, our names were rumored to be on the list of those to be sacked if the governor couldn’t return, and the deputy took over. Fortunately, the governor’s safe return vindicates us.
Another reliable source in Abuja expressed concern about Aiyedatiwa’s disloyalty, alleging that he had challenged the nomination of Otito Atikase as the state representative on the NDDC board.

Meanwhile, a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Progressives Conscience Coalition (PCC), has cautioned Aiyedatiwa against planting stories against the governor.
The group also accused the deputy governor of being behind the fake stories about his own impeachment. It added that the move was to gain undue sympathy after his alleged treacherous conducts.

The group, in a statement signed by its coordinator, Yemi Akinbobola, claimed that negative stories about the governor and the government originated from the deputy governor’s camp.
“It has come to our attention that Aiyedatiwa has continued to sponsor fabricated, concocted, and spurious stories about the governor.”
“Our investigations reveal that damaging stories about the governor’s health originated from the deputy governor’s camp.”

Meanwhile, a pro-democracy group, Ondo State Forum (OSF), has called on politicians to rejoice in the return of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, from an overseas treatment abroad.
The call followed perceived contrary feelings in the state.

The group warned that it is the wrong time to indulge in misleading political statements, if actually citizens truly were happy to welcome the governor back to the state.

It recalled that the deputy governor had earlier confirmed while the governor was abroad that Akeredolu was in constant touch with the government despite his medical condition, showing concerns for the welfare of the people.

It recalled that Aiyedatiwa conveyed the possibility of speedy and full recovery and had always assured the Ondo people that there was nothing to worry about, given that sickness is normal with anybody, emphasising that there was no cause for alarm over his health.

The group said: “Against the backdrop of the governor’s  fitness, the deputy governor had cheeringly welcomed his boss and prayed that God Almighty will continue to protect, guide and grant him strength as he continues to lead the good people of Ondo State towards transformational development.