For the first time in the history of Ondo State, First Female Commissioner of Finance was appointed, Mrs Omowunmi Issac. When the appointment was announced, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa was applauded for setting a new record in the state but the appointment of Mrs Issac has become a thorn in the flesh of many people in the state mostly the State Cabinet members who are heading different ministries as official duties are pending due to the inability of the Commissioner to release fund.
In the government of the Late Arakunrin Akeredolu, his wife, Betty, was very powerful to the extent that whoever needs favour from Akeredolu must passed through her. She is one of the most powerful First Ladies in Nigeria at her time but today, Aiyedatiwa’s Commissioner of Finance has taken that position of the most Powerful Cabinet member in Ondo State. Why is our governors giving power to these uncontrollable women?
We learnt that executive members of the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa are groaning in silence over alleged overbearing attitude of this woman who you hardly met in public function since she was sworn in as the State Commissioner of Finance. Her office is allegedly unaccessible to even her colleagues who need to see her for official engagement.
There’s budgetary provision for each Ministry, Department and Agency of government but hoarding funds meant for them by the office of Finance Commissioner is slowing down pace of development in the state. Who is to blame? The governor or the powerful commissioner?
What is stopping the commissioner from releasing monies for developmental projects that would have put governor Aiyedatiwa in good light before the people of the state ahead of the November 16 Governorship Election?
Investigation revealed that not only are the cabinet members appointed by Mr Governor suffering in silence, many of the contractors have left sites because the Finance Commissioner is not releasing fund due to them.
If Mr Governor has approved fund to be released to the MDAs and some contractors handling ongoing projects in the state, what guts did Honourable Commissioner has to withheld it? A lot of questions are begging for answers?
To me, there’s more to this that is not open to many people. Maybe, Mr Governor is in know of this because no Commissioner can be bigger than her Boss.
As the state is warming up for election, one would expect more actions from the governor in terms of commissioning and flag off of projects. The State can’t complain of fund because even the blind knows that Ondo State in the last six months has received Billions from the federation account, so why the stop or slow works at every project site in the state.
Mr Governor while taking oath of office last year December promised to complete projects initiated by his Late Boss, ten months in office, the inherited projects are not receiving require attention due to the overbearing attitude of the powerful commissioner of the Finance Ministry.
If the rumour of the commissioner allegedly receiving interests on the government monies kept in the banks is anything to go by, Mr Governor should investigate if there’s no interior motive because an individual can’t hold the state to ransom, claiming to be prudent at the expense of the needed development in the state.
The level of arrogance of the commissioner came to the public knowledge when she shunned the invitation sent to her by the State House of Assembly, asking her to explain unresolved state financial issues. Her excuses, probably might be, out of the state for official assignment which the Attorney-General, Kayode Ajulo SAN has already defended.
An insider within cabinet once said that, Mr Governor in one of the Exco meetings said his duty is to approve but the final decision lies with the Commissioner for finance to make monies available. Is Mr Governor saying, if he gives approval and the commissioner refuses to implement, there’s nothing he can do? Or Is Governor Aiyedatiwa saying, Commissioner of Finance is powerful than him? Who is fooling who?
As powerful as the former first lady was (Betty), it was alleged that she had issues with the late governor over the unbearing attitude of this woman and the same is repeating itself again as her colleagues are not finding it funny with her. If Governor Aiyedatiwa is not in the know of the attitude of this woman, what is stopping him from checkmating her or even sacking her if she becomes uncontrollable.
It was learnt that she has unfettered access to Mr Governor, meaning, she regularly brief the governor of her activities. Mrs Omowunmi Isaac is powerful just because Mr Governor wants her to, probably the woman may have to be blamed less if she is acting the script of the governor which I guess not because I believe Governor Aiyedatiwa wants to make an impact to be remembered for even by unborn generations.
As Media, our concern is about the slow pace of development in the state and not about the November 16 Governorship Election which is the priority of the politicians. Governor Aiyedatiwa has a duty to deliver and provide dividend of good governance to the people of Ondo State.
If many of the ongoing projects have stopped due to the negligence and pride of one person, the governor should take action because the knocks and kudos of this government will be on him.
Governor Aiyedatiwa should call his ‘ALMIGHTY’ Commissioner to order, sooner or later, tongues will begin to wag and people will start painting pictures of unholy relationship between him and this woman. No COMMISSIONER can be bigger than the GOVERNOR.
