Fortune favours the brave, the saying goes. But fortune also favours the fortunate as bravery cannot save a person from death. In Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s case, the new governor of Ondo State, fortune has visited his house as the baton of power has been passed to him due to the death of his boss, Rotimi Akeredolu.
How many incumbent governors have fallen to the sirens of death? Akeredolu is the latest on this list. His passing is a frozen-in-a-daze moment for the citizens of Ondo who prayed that he would recover from his illness. Unfortunately, they were only informed that he had succumbed to the damage dealt by prostate cancer and leukaemia, never getting the news they anticipated.
Another group that did not get the news they anticipated and is half a step away from breaking down are some of the late Akeredolu’s loyalists. Against this, it is widely speculated that Aiyedatiwa will come breathing fire. Once that happens, Ondo may turn on its head, witnessing many high and low-ranking officials dismissed from government service.
The reason there is some certainty to this speculation is that the anticipated officials to be punished by Aiyedatiwa are those who had a hand in his near-impeachment a few months ago. These individuals allegedly poisoned the mind of Akeredolu against him, causing a cold war between the pair and nearly forcing him out of the political house.
Since power moved to Aiyedatiwa as Ondo waited for Akeredolu’s recovery, these individuals have been panicking. It is said that Aiyedatiwa already designed means to pay them in their coins before the news of Akeredolu came from that hospital in Germany. With nothing to stop him, what will be the fate of all those who threatened his political relevance in Ondo?
Time will tell, and so will the possible sack letters that will fly from Aiyedatiwa’s office as the succeeding governor of the Sunshine State.
