Fidelis David reports that the demise of the former governor of Ondo State, OluwarotimiAkeredolu and his replacement by Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa is bound to change the political permutations in the state ahead of the 2024 gubernatorial election in the sunshine state.
Year 2023 was a rollercoaster and quite rough for the people of Ondo State, coupled with the global economic headwinds which were of tsunami proportions making short shrift of earnings and further eroding the standard of living for millions.
Thanks to goodness! The year has ended but, undoubtedly, it had its share of big political stories, particularly in the sunshine state of Ondo and Nigeria as a whole.
Sunset for Akeredolu
For the people of the coastal state, it was a year that will be remembered for a very long time because it was a year of political imbroglio, turbulence, calculations, decisions.
The news of Governor OluwarotimiAkeredolu’s death is still fresh in the memories of Nigerians. It sent shock waves to the entire country after it was confirmed that the ex-governor, who had a protracted battle with prostate cancer, died in Germany, where he had been receiving treatment, at the age of 67.
Aketi, as he was fondly called by friends and admirers, was a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and former Attorney General of Ondo State, and a second-term governor who also served as the Chairman of the South West Governor’s Forum before his death.
He was elected Governor of Ondo State on the Platform of the All Progressives Congress in November 2016 and re-elected in 2020 and he was the Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997-1999 and became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 1998 as well as, the President of Nigeria Bar Association from 2008 to 2010.
Many people see Akeredolu as not just a political figure but a visionary leader and a beacon of hope. However, the flood of encomiums that has so far greeted the passage of Akeredolu is an obvious and convincing testimony to the fact that his life was colourfully signposted with indelible accomplishments in all spheres of life.
New Dawn for Aiyedatiwa
Like his name, Lucky, luck and destiny have bestowed on him the office of the governor of Ondo state. Less than 24 hours after the death of Akeredolu, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was sworn in as the seventh civilian governor of the state, apparently, with death having appeared to have finally settled the scores between him and his late boss, Akeredolu.
He’s expected to complete the remaining tenure of Akeredolu which will end on February 23, 2025.
So, as the number one citizen of the state and leader of APC in the state, he will now oversee preparations for next year’s governorship election.
Ondo, alongside Edo, Bayelsa, KogiAnambra, Osun, Ekiti and Imo, are among the eight Nigerian states whose governorship elections are held outside the cycle of the general elections due to the outcomes of previous litigations.
The electoral body had in September, 2023 announced that the Governorship election will hold on Saturday, 16th November 2024 while party primaries will hold from 6th – 27th April 2024 as provided in Section 178 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Besides, INEC said the submission of the list of nominated candidates via the online portal will start at 9.00am on 29th April 2024 and close at 6.00pm on 20th May 2024.
Now, going by the “unwritten” zoning arrangement in the state, late Akeredolu’s successor is expected to emerge from the south senatorial district where Aiyedatiwa hails from and there are other people from the same zone who have shown interest.
They include the state Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa; the Secretary to the state Government (SSG), MrsOladunniOdu; business mogul and the incumbent Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, Jimoh Ibrahim; a governorship candidate in the state during the 2012 and 2016 gubernatorial elections, OlusolaOke; the Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services) at Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited, IfeoluwaOlusolaOyedele; APC National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Isaac Kekemeke, amongst others.
Political analysts believe that the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as the new governor will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences on the upcoming elections and the dynamics that will lead to the emergence of the party’s standard bearer have also changed.
In other words, they believe that with Aiyedatiwa assuming office as the governor, he will be in the best position to sway the ticket in his favour, except he doesn’t know his way.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state who does want his name in print said “Aiyedatiwa had served as a member representing the state on the board of Niger/Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) and even before this, he has held various positions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). So, I can boldly say that the governor is not a stranger in the politics of Ondo State.
“Just imagine his humility and humbleness, many Nigerians do not know that till date, Aiyedatiwa lives at his private residence in Akure and rides his personal vehicle to run government activities. When he was deputy governor, the residence vacated by his predecessor was taken over by Akeredolu’s son, Babajide”, he added.
Besides, prior to the rift between late Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa, the former had openly said Aiyedatiwa will take up the reins of governance from him, a declaration which many people believe triggered the hatred for Aiyedatiwa by those who were eyeing the governorship seat.
On February 24, 2021, Akeredolu, during his inauguration for second term at the International Culture and Event Center in Akure, openly said: “The name we give our children or the name we bear at times matters a lot. You (Aiyedatiwa) have been loyal and consistent. You are worthy of this position (deputy governor), and I want to thank you for being considered to complete this journey with us.
“I have a maximum of four years; maybe you can proceed from there. It is for me now to calm down and for you to grow. I must come down for him to grow. I have done my own a little bit; I must congratulate you.”
Aiyedatiwa Shops for Deputy
Meanwhile, it was reliably gathered that Aiyedatiwa had began to shop for a deputy governor. A source said the governor might pick one of the cabinet members, adding that Aiyedatiwa had been holding meetings with political stakeholders in and outside the state in his search for a suitable and loyal deputy governor.
It was, however, gathered that those eyeing the deputy governorship seat include cabinet members who stood by him while he was battling with attempt to impeach him by the state House of Assembly. Those being touted for the number two position are the Chief of Staff to Akeredolu, Chief Olugbenga Ale; the Commissioner for Energy, Mr. RasaqObe and Special Adviser on MDG,Mrs. BunmiAdemosu; whom the wife of the former governor, Betty Akeredolu, had accused of giving concoctions to her husband when he was ill.
Others include former federal lawmaker, Hon AladeMayokun;OlumuyiwaAdu and a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in the state, OmowunmiOlatunji-Ohwovoriole, among others.
By and large, with the tension and agitation arising from various quarters occasioned by the lingering political crisis in the state haven been doused following the death of Akeredolu, 2024 might be more intriguing while ambition, alignment, realignment and betrayal might take over the political atmosphere of the sunshine state.
