PETER DADA investigates how Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s absence is fueling political drive in Ondo State forward of the 2024 governorship election.
In latest weeks, Ondo State, the Sunshine State, has been within the information for varied causes, amongst them the sickness of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), his absence from public area and his eventual journey overseas for medical remedy. In his absence, his deputy, Mr. Fortunate Aiyedatiwa, is holding the fort in an appearing capability. So the administration continues.
However past that, gladiators and politicians have begun planning for subsequent 12 months’s gubernatorial election. Akeredolu’s second time period ends on February 23, 2025. Usually, that date appears far-off, however for politicians, present political occasions create a great alternative to make strikes on how Akeredolu’s successor will emerge.
At present, many candidates within the All Progressives Congress, the Folks’s Democratic Occasion, the Social Democratic Occasion, the Labor Occasion and different political events are warming up for the competitors, beginning with the celebration primaries.
Our correspondents discovered that there are ward-level political conferences, whereas some gladiators from exterior the state have began returning house to contribute to the social and political improvement of their communities.
Some supply scholarships to college students of their cities and native authorities areas, some pay the hospital payments of the sick, particularly if the sick individual is a distinguished member of their celebration and one who could possibly be an instrument for his or her ambition, whereas some distribute cash.
Apparently, this occurs within the Sunshine State each two years on condition that the gubernatorial election is off-cycle and two years away from the final election.
It was gathered that not less than 15 members of the ruling APC have discreetly proven curiosity in contesting the governorship subsequent 12 months.
In line with the supply, they embrace Performing Governor Aiyedatiwa; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa; former Chairman of Ondo State Oil Producing Space Improvement Fee, Mr. Gbenga Edema; Particular Adviser to the Governor on Well being, Dr. Francis Faduyile; former governorship aspirant in each PDP and Alliance for Democracy, Chief Olusola Oke.
It’s fascinating to notice that every one the APC aspirants are from Ondo South Senatorial District, following the celebration’s alleged unwritten settlement that the senatorial district will produce the subsequent governor, on condition that Akeredolu is from Ondo North.
Some members of the celebration claimed that the final governor from South Senatorial District was the late Olusegun Agagu, who served for six years earlier than the court docket eliminated him and changed him with Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who’s from Ondo Central.
Though the governor has handed over to his deputy, some vested appointees are stated to have fueled the state and portrayed a chilly struggle within the authorities.
A supply within the governor’s workplace stated some cupboard members averted Sunday’s state government council assembly as a result of the governor was not round. This, nevertheless, was debunked by the appearing governor as he urged “most of the people to, as normal, ignore these unlucky lies and innuendos as mischief by determined political gladiators in varied political divisions”.
Equally, a cupboard member, who spoke on situation of anonymity, denied a rift amongst cupboard members as he stated there was no drawback in Akeredolu’s cupboard.
He stated: “There was no drawback within the cupboard. We at all times meet for state government council classes as soon as per week and all members are required to attend. Checklist solely duties which will trigger any member to not attend.”
Whereas this was occurring, it was gathered that the APC leaders within the state warned the aspirants that they have been sad with the event and warned such individuals to droop their actions out of respect for the governor, who is alleged to be recuperating from sickness.
The supply stated: “Earlier than the intervention of some celebration elders, these individuals (APC aspirants) had nearly taken their political aspirations to extremes. Their supporters flooded social media with varied inflammatory and derogatory feedback and posts towards one another in an try and promote the political aspirations of their administrators and secret sponsors.
“Numerous issues occurred between them with out being delicate to the governor’s well being. Some within the authorities have deserted their activity in politics. Due to this, celebration elders requested them to briefly droop their actions. They have been requested to close down these social networks via which they tactically declared their intention. They have been additionally requested to wish for the speedy restoration of the ailing governor.”
Regardless of this, nevertheless, it has been noticed that a few of the aspirants have taken their discreet campaigns exterior the borders of the state the place they intend to win the celebration ticket. Some have been additionally stated to be searching for the help of President Bola Tinubu and a few APC governors for the sponsorship.
In response, the Publicity Secretary of the APC within the state, Mr. Alex Kalejaiye, stated he was not conscious of the key political conferences of the candidates. Nevertheless, he famous that holding political conferences is a part of politics.
He added: “I’m not conscious of any background political conferences forward of 2024. Performing Governor Hon Fortunate Ayedatiwa and members of the State Govt Council, so far as I do know, are preoccupied with the best way to hold the ship of state on the right track. I’m conscious that different gladiators are ready for Mr. Governor’s arrival.
“It’s a widespread saying amongst most leaders that ‘we’ll know which method we’re going when Mr. Governor comes again’. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON is the chief of our celebration within the state. Leaders and members have sturdy religion in his judgment and earnestly await his arrival and directive on all vital issues.
“Nevertheless, I need to say that the conferences are a part of the political sport. Like-minded gamers are anticipated to fulfill now and again to consider what form and colours to count on. Conferences are, as is commonly stated, the menu of politics. Due to this fact, the holding of conferences shouldn’t be thought of an uncommon improvement.”
Additionally, the PDP via its secretary for the general public, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, debunked the alleged desperation of APC aspirants, saying most of them are usually not able to contest however are ready for the help of their political godfathers.
The opposition celebration that expressed readiness to take over the nation stated that the battle line had been drawn.
He stated: “It’s a recognized proven fact that round October 2024, there shall be a governorship election in Ondo State. Whereas the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee is but to formally announce the election schedule, political events and gladiators eyeing Alagbaka Authorities Home on February 24, 2025 are leaving nothing to likelihood.
“Governor Akeredolu’s well being standing, shrouded in secrecy because it have been, seems to be the launching pad for this epic battle. Ultimately depend, quite a few aspirants have indicated their willingness to contest the 2024 governorship election on the platform of the APC. Undoubtedly, most of them are pretenders or count on some godfathers to help them or discover themselves on the again of a non-existent energy to match the primary opposition celebration, the PDP.
“However on the finish of those hostilities attributable to Akeredolu’s absence, selecting up the items shall be a tough activity. The final phrase would be the identical individuals who have been deserted throughout the battle for supremacy. And this era, wasted in pointless present of power and ignorance, will depend towards the APC authorities.”
A political analyst, Dr. Ken Okanlawon, stated there’s want for political gladiators within the APC to play the sport by the principles. He warned that being too determined may tear the celebration aside and lose the election.
Okanlawon added: “Lots of them ought to know to watch out at the moment. Being a member of the ruling celebration doesn’t robotically imply electoral victory; it’s important to work for it. We’ve seen many states the place the ruling celebration loses. Osun State is a detailed instance. If APC doesn’t put its home so as earlier than the election, the issue could final till the election and the consequence could also be loss.”