Ondo State, admittedly nicknamed the ‘Sunshine State,’ has a way of taking centre stage in political intrigue and drama. Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, with his sharp eyes of discernment and his sharper tongue, has thrown a fresh kick against his former deputy, Agboola Ajayi. Based on reports to this effect, this round might last a while.
From the reports, Governor Akeredolu has written the Nigerian Police to report the conduct of Agboola Ajayi. Purportedly, Ajayi has refused to return government properties in his possession even though he has been stripped of these properties’ rights since two months ago.
The allegedly captured properties are four vehicles: one new Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, one new Toyota Hi-Lux, and two other Hi-Lux models. Thus, Akeredolu’s government petitioned the Police against Ajayi’s abuse of power and disregard for government property.
Based on reports, Ajayi has gotten wind of Akeredolu’s petition to the police and has responded in the affirmative—that he has not returned the vehicles and will wait for the police to get through to him before deciding on the next course of action. Ajayi does not intend to make things easy for his former boss.
Whoever has followed the tango between Akeredolu and Ajayi is doubtlessly aware of their history and conflict. Before the October 10 Ondo gubernatorial election, Ajayi was rumoured to have his eyes on Akeredolu’s seat. Not long after, Ajayi left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Because he did this while still a member of Akeredolu’s cabinet, the latter was understandably peeved and has been after Ajayi since then.
During the defection period, Ajayi also vacated his official residence and took the vehicles along. Now that Akeredolu has withstood every opposition and cleared them, Ajayi’s possession of those vehicles reportedly constitutes an unwelcome crease in his victory suit. Thus, it is obvious that between Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and Agboola Ajayi, a new round of confrontations, shadowing, and shading is in view.
