*Jimoh Ibrahim: You’re a huge joker
*It’s mere wishful thinking, I’m succeeding him, Oke declares
*Governor inaugurates 12 new commissioners
Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Fidelis David in Akure
Ahead of the April 20 All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has declared there is no vacancy at the Government House.
However, other governorship aspirants like Senator Jimoh Ibrahim described the governor as a huge joker, while Olusola Oke said it was mere wishful thinking by the governor, saying he would succeed him by February 2025.
Aiyedatiwa disclosed this yesterday at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja while fielding questions from journalists after he was cleared by the Screening Committee of the party to contest the primary election next week.
His words: “Questions were asked and answered and at the end of the day, I have been cleared that there are no issues. Especially the issue that has to do with the certificate that a petition was written, today that has been put to rest.
“My certificates are genuine and authentic. I think it is just a kind of mischief by some other aspirants who find me to be an aspirant to beat, trying to look for a way to discredit my person but that has been verified and put to rest.
“I think the issue really regarding that was a school they claim was established in 1980 and how come I was able to write my WAEC in 1982. If you are a student of history you will recall that in 1979, when the Governor of Lagos State at the time, Lateef Jakande became Governor of Lagos State, most private schools were taken over and schools were built for the communities. And Ikosi High school that I attended is one of the schools that were built by the regime of Lateef Jakande in 1980. So, it is on record that the school was established in 1980 and at that time I was already in Form ‘3’ in a private school.
“New Nation is in Ikosi, while Royal Comprehensive High School is in Ajegunle Ikorudu very close to Ketu. So all of us were moved to both New Nation and Royal Comprehensive High School and some other schools that were affected by the flood. We were all moved into Ikosi High School Ketu that was built by the government and that was how we wrote our WAEC in 1982 because we were in the first set. I was in Form ‘3’ at the time, it used to be five years, not now that you have six years for secondary school.
“So their question, the petitioner is how can a school be established in 1980 and we have a first set in 1982 that the first set was supposed to be in 1985 but he didn’t take time to look at the history. So investigation has been conducted, the schools are still there, WAEC office is there where you can actually verify the subject that I took and the year that I graduated and the school. You just need to buy a scratch card and go to the website of WAEC, it will be there – Ikosi High School Iketu and my name will be there with the subjects that I took and the various grades. So it is clear to everybody that my certificate is authentic and I actually graduated from that school in 1982.”
Asked what his advice was for those trying to pull him down, Aiyedatiwa said there was no vacancy in Ondo State Government House.
According to him, “I should just advise them to repent and try to go to the field and work. If they are interested in the seat and the seat is not vacant, that is why they’re trying to do all that they are doing.”
Responding to what the governor said, Ibrahim noted that the governor would be out of the Government House after the primary election next week.
His words: “He’s joking. It is a big joke. He can continue in government with P8, P7. The governor is joking, big joke, huge joke he is cracking with you. He is out of that place by the time we finish primary next week, he is gone and there is nothing virtually he can do about it.
“I don’t normally go against people, to me, clear everybody, let them go for primary, let the electorate determine. I have won elections as Senator, I won in six of the six local governments, 65 of the 66 wards, 111,677 votes against Agboola Ajayi 60,000 votes.
“What is the governor talking about? This governor has never won an election, he contested for the House of Representatives, he didn’t win one local government, just two local governments, he couldn’t even win one.
“He was a pair to Aketi, we didn’t vote for him, we voted for Aketi. But I can assure you, the governor is a huge joker,” the lawmaker said.
On his part, Oke was of the opinion that what the governor said was intended to undermine the democratic exercise.
He stated: “It is an aphorism from all incumbent persons.we heard this one in Lagos when (Akinwumi) Ambode was there. Ambode said there was no vacancy, he had to leave when he needed to leave.
“It is a statement of wish and desire by the governor and it is a statement that is intended to undermine a democratic exercise.
“If we are going into a primary and the people have to determine, how would anybody have the guts to say there is no vacancy? There is no vacancy between now and February next year, no doubt! But after February, his one-year tenure would be exhausted and then there’ll be a vacancy.
“I don’t intend to take over from him before the expiration of his one year in office. So, the essence of this exercise is that there will be vacancy after one-year term and that he or somebody else will occupy the seat or having regard to my pervasive, wide contact with the people. I believe that I am succeeding him,” Oke added.
Other aspirants contesting the primary election next week are: Olusoji Ehinlanwo, Hon. Okunjimi John, APC National Vice Chairman (South West), Isaacs Kekemeke.
Others are: Akinfolarin Samuel, Adewale Akinterinwa, Olugbenga Edema, Gen. Ohunyeye Felix, Morayo Lebi, Garvey Iyanjan, Prof. Francis Faduyile and Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
Aiyedatiwa Inaugurates 12 New Commissioners in Ondo
Meanwhile, Ondo State Governor, Aiyedatiwa, yesterday inaugurated the newly appointed 12 commissioners into the State Executive Council.
The newly inaugurated commissioners are Segun Ayerin, Olaolu Akindolire, Amidu Takuro, Dr Banji Ajaka, Boye Ologbese, Sunday Akinwalire, Lola Fagbemi, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye, Rasheed Badmus, Olayato Aribo, Adewale Akinlosotu and Gbenga Olaniyi.
Speaking at the event, Governor Aiyedatiwa urged them to justify their appointments through dedicated service, emphasising the administration’s commitment to accelerated development and good governance.
He said, “Let me congratulate the newly inaugurated appointees for being worthy of consideration as Honourable Commissioners in Ondo State. Some of you are returning, while others are new commissioners. In the main, you have a duty to justify your appointment or reappointment as the case may be. I must inform you that this administration is in a hurry to deliver on its mandate and make life more meaningful to the people.
“The torch of accelerated development that we hold aloft in trust for the people is irreversible. You must guard your loins and hit the ground running in your various offices. You must foster a good working relationship with the workers, especially the Permanent Secretaries and other Accounting Officers.
“Let us bear in mind that the government and people of Ondo State are united in their thirst for credible performance, development and good governance. You must avoid corruption or any act that is not nurturing good governance and overriding public interest. Thus, I like to implore all friends, families and well-wishers of the new appointees to refrain from putting undue pressures on them so that they can concentrate and discharge their duties in the overall best interest of the state.”
Highlighting the administration’s accomplishments in various sectors, Aiyedatiwa emphasized the strides made in addressing salary arrears, gratuity payments, employment opportunities, infrastructure development, and security enhancement.
He stressed the administration’s focus on collaboration with federal and corporate entities to stimulate economic growth and ensure food security in the state.
The governor called for peaceful conduct during the upcoming gubernatorial primary elections, stressing the importance of upholding democratic principles and avoiding divisive actions.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Secretary to the State Government, Tayo Oluwatuyi, emphasised the importance of wholehearted commitment from the newly inaugurated commissioners. He stressed that their forthcoming responsibilities transcend mere formalities, symbolising principles of justice and equity.
Oluwatuyi urged them to labour tirelessly, demonstrating unwavering dedication, reminding them that the authority vested in their positions is not for personal enrichment but for the welfare of the people.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated commissioners, Dr. Banji Ajaka appreciated Governor Aiyedatiwa for the trust reposed in them, with a promise not to disappoint the governor and the people of the state.
