Special Feature, 12th June, 2023
To those trying to turn Ondo State into Theatre of War, they have definitely missed it. The conspiracy theory to turn Governor Akeredolu against his Deputy has failed. Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa is nothing but an epitome of loyalty and this is what Mr. Governor can testify to before the spinners of this conspiracy began to paint the pictures of desperation and disloyalty on the part of the Deputy Governor.
As a stakeholder in the Project Ondo State, there’s need to checkmate enemies of progress and devil’s advocate whose trade are to cause confusion where there’s none. I am a fan of Arakunrin Akeredolu, a governor whose impact were felt in every nook and cranny of Ondo State since assumption of office as the Executive Governor of our dear Sunshine state.
In spite of the current health challenges of Mr. Governor, we can only pray for the restoration of his health back rather than maligning the personality of his Deputy who can never wish his benefactor evil.
Who are these masquerades throwing stone of discord between the boss and subordinate? This was how they started when Agboola Ajayi was the deputy governor of Aketi which eventually led to frosty relationship between brothers. Agbo was allegedly fingered by the ‘So Called Loyalists” of the governor as the genesis behind his failing health status.
As if that was the end, Aiyedatiwa who never dreamt of becoming a Commissioner was singlehandedly picked by Aketi to deputised him; so, on what basis would he wishes his benefactor death as being rumoured by these Holier than Pope Loyalists.If Agboola is not loyal and again Aiyedatiwa is not loyal, then something is wrong somewhere.
Since the beginning of Aketi second term in office, Aiyedatiwa has not cross his boundaries or act contrary to the instructions of his boss. To some, Aiyedatiwa is just a mere puppet in Akeredolu’s government whose major assignment in the last two years is more of representing the governor in functions yet the desperados for 2025 are hell bend in tarnishing the image of a gentle man that believe in Aketi Vision.
The whole conspiracy theory by the desperados was nothing short of the 2024 Guber Polls. Having seen the strength of the deputy governor as a core loyalist of the governor, they are backing on the call by some Concerned Citizens of the state that Aketi should hand over power to his Deputy in acting capacity as desperation, forgetting that Akeredolu is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who knows the position of the law when a governor or president is indisposed.
It was reported by some media that the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun who has few hours to vacate office resigned; this was one of the alleged plots by the desperados to plant a new speaker who will eventually call for the impeachment of the Deputy Governor as against the wishes of the governor.
Whatever they are planning, the governor is not in the know. Aketi is not a robot according to Araba, Barr Jimoh Ibrahim, as a mortal, we are bound to fall sick at any time but as a public figure, the people of the state must know the state of health of their governor. If you might know, huge number of the state population are praying for quick recovery of the governor. Aketi is one of the best governors Ondo State has ever produced.
It is wishful thinking for any sane person to wish the governor death because to live and die lies with God. The is a governor that prioritize the safety and security of the residents of the state. We can’t but wish him well but with the state of his health, the state can’t stand still which necessitated the call for transfer of power to his Deputy by some people, a call that didn’t go down well with Aketi Loyalists and immediate family.
To the Emergency Cabal calling the Deputy Governor traitor, when exactly did Aiyedatiwa suddenly became a traitor? While going on his annual leave, Mr. Governor willingly hand over power to his Deputy without doubting his loyalty but with the current health status of the governor, some people within the corridor of power are taking advantage of the governor’s ill-health to create discord between him and his Deputy with sole aim of positioning their preferred candidate as Aketi successor in 2025.
When the Assembly Saga failed to send the Deputy Governor out of office, they came up with Wife Battery Narrative. One faceless Group from the pit of hell became the instrument of blackmailing, accusing Aiyedatiwa of wife beating. The pertinent question is why now? This was an alleged battery that happened some months back and it suddenly became story gathering media attention to malign the Deputy Governor.
In the defense of the Deputy Governor, his Media handler has to issue a Press Statement to counter the lies. “The said allegation of domestic abuse against the person of the deputy Governor is a figment of the imagination of those behind it and their ungodly intentions to cause crisis in the State had been known for weeks and therefore such falsehood did not come as a surprise”.
“While His Excellency reserves the right to privacy on issues pertaining to his family, it is pertinent to state clearly that there has never been any domestic violence between the Deputy Governor and his lovely wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, who at the moment is outside the shores of the country”.
As if that was the end, the plotters of the sinister agenda accused him again of Certificate Scandal. I am not surprised because once you want somebody out of the way in Nigeria Political Arena, the desperados result into crude and uncultured way as against the constitution.
Kudos to the Ilaje Groups both home and diaspora for standing and defending their son against these hawks and to the Deputy Governor, this is a trying period and it will surely pass. Leaders of Thought, Opinion Moulders and Stakeholders in the state must speak out against these combined desperados who are acting their selfish script as against the ailing governor interest.
Rather than beating the drums of war and creating unnecessary tension within the political class, let these Lovers of Aketi seek spiritual help or settle for herbal remedies if the Orthodox medicine is not effective. God will shame the devil because I believe Arakunrin Akeredolu will be back on his feet sooner than later. Let’s pray for Mr. Governor and I urge the clerics and every citizen of Ondo to always remember the governor in their prayers. God Bless Ondo State.
Collins writes from Akure
