*Aiyedatiwa Dances On The Grave of Akeredolu
Report has it that the former Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu breathed his last in a German hospital on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. This was nonetheless a day of mourning for the people of the Sunshine State; but this was sadly not the case with the deputy of the late Aketi.
The day of Akeredolu’s demise was unfortunately the day that treacherous characters became elevated to the positions of kings in the Sunshine State. One would have even expected a pretentious conduct by then deputy to Aketi, but this was never to be as human character is like smoke that cannot be hidden for too long.
As required by the constitutional provisions of Nigeria, deputy governor is to step into the office of a governor in the event of death, illness or permanent incapacitation. In line with this provision of the constitution, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in few hours after the passage of Arakunrin Akeredolu was confirmed. However, the disturbing statement made by Aiyedatiwa shortly after he was sworn-in indeed spoke volume about his attitude and intention towards the late Akeredolu. The new governor was captured on camera to have said “a ku ori ire o” In Yoruba dialect. This statement can simply be translated to mean hearty congratulations on a good thing that has occurred.
Little wonder the Holy Bible says in the book of Matthew chapter 12 verse 34 that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. No seer is needed to confirm that Lucky Aiyedatiwa never prayed for his highly benevolent principal to survive the sickness that eventually took his life. How on earth could a hitherto Acting Governor that ought to still be in a shock and mourning mood, just few hours after the death of his principal make such a careless statement of “a ku ori ire o. This simply suggests that Arakunrin Akeredolu unknowingly cohabited, wined and dined with an enemy within from February 24, 2021 till the time of his passage on December 27, 2023.
A saying in Yoruba land counsels that before setting out on an important journey, one needs to be sure of the character of the would be companion. Behind the facade of pretentious empathy for the illness and eventual death of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu by Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, there is unmitigated desperation for power; irrespective of who would need to pave way. Unfortunately, this behavior was manifested by Aiyedatiwa before, during and after the demise of his late principal.
It is on record that Governor Aiyedatiwa paid a condolence visit to the residence of his late principal in Ibadan, and thereafter told the press that Akeredolu passed on in the same Ibadan residence. Whereas, the former governor actually died in a German hospital. The big question is that, how come the then Acting Governor would have cared less to know the whereabout of his boss and where he eventually breathed his last ?
This can only suggest the preoccupation of Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa with desperate pursuit of power at the time of Aketi’s health travails.
It can be safely concluded therefore, that Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his co-travelers set out early, even as an Acting Governor to get themselves entrenched in the Alagbaka government house for the next five years. There is actually nothing wrong in being ambitious; after all, Governor Aiyedatiwa has the constitutional right to contest for the highest office in Ondo State. But, Hon. Aiyedatiwa went about his ambition the wrong way and he truly knows this.
Some of the treacherous conducts of Governor Aiyedatiwa were not hidden to some governors in the South West region of the country. These are governors that had tremendous respect for their former colleague, who equally doubled as the Chairman of the South West Governors. It is therefore expected of these governors to feel slighted by the fact that Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa literally celebrated the dead of one of them. As expected, the South West Governors registered their disapproval of the treacherous character and conduct of Governor Aiyedatiwa by staying away from the lying-in-state programme which Ondo State government organized for the late Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. Even before the burial of Akeredolu, none of the South West Governors deemed it necessary to pay condolence visit to Governor Aiyedatiwa.
It was barely five hours after former Governor Akeredolu was interred that Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa appeared on a national television to talk politics. He again displayed crass desperation to remain in power when asked by the program anchor if he would contest the 2024 governorship election in Ondo State. As expected, the innate crass desperation in Governor Aiyedatiwa took a better of him as he answered by saying nobody would want to be a governor for one year.
A truly empathetic person who felt a genuine sense of loss would have given a better, assuring and sympathetic answer to the question. He was expected to have said that his former boss had only been buried few hours ago and would not want to talk politics that day as a mark of honor for the former Governor Akeredolu. Honestly, this line of answer would possibly have made the discerning people of Ondo State to have a different opinion about Governor Aiyedatiwa. Also, the expected answer would not have changed anything in the political equations of the Sunshine State because it is already a public knowledge that Governor Aiyedatiwa is determined to succeed himself come November 2024.
People of Ondo State cannot forgot in a hurry the allegation made by Engr. Razaq Obe, that the signature of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was forged for the purpose of looting treasury of the Sunshine State. Forgery is definitely a serious offence that should be investigated and bring all the perpetrators to justice. However, nothing has been heard nor said again after the allegation had been made to whip up public sentiment in favour of the then Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa. Fast forward to present, same Engr. Razaq Obe who raised the allegation had since been nominated as a commissioner by Governor Aiyedatiwa and already confirmed as commissioner designate by the Ondo State House of Assembly. . Could the nomination of Razaq Obe be a reward for the hatchet job done for the then Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa?
Meanwhile, one good thing about true character is that it can never be hidden for too long. It is akin to smoke that will readily finds a way or even ways to ventilate itself. Inasmuch as Governor Aiyedatiwa has the right to hire and fire all political appointees in the Sunshine State, he should have however restrained himself from certain actions that may rightly suggestd.attempt to erode the legacy of his former boss. He recently sacked the Ondo State Head of Service, Pastor Kayode Ogundele who was appointed by former Governor Akeredolu. It was more painful that Aiyedatiwa not only retired the former Head of Service prematurely at age 57, but also replaced him with his kinsman from Ilaje, Bayo Philip.
Power as they say is only given by God. It is however, disturbing that despite the fact that providence had already made Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa the Governor of Ondo State, one then cannot stop wondering what he stands to gain by erasing the legacies of the man that made him his deputy, even against all odds.
Since the observed stock in trade of Governor Aiyedatiwa is crass desperation, indiscretion and treachery, one may need not look any further why he has remain a governor without a first lady. This is unfortunately the very first time since the return to democratic rule in 1999 that Ondo State would be without a first lady.
One is not unmindful of the fact that the office of first lady is not sanctioned by Nigerian unconstitutional; yet, previous occupants of the have made indelible impacts in the lives of women, girls, market women and female artisans in Ondo State. Sad enough, the supposed wife of Governor Aiyedatiwa, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa has refused to come near the Alagbaka’s seat of power in Ondo State since June 2023. The simple reason for her staying away from Ondo State has been linked to the mental abuse and domestic violence visited on her by Governor Aiyedatiwa. It is therefore left to be seen, how a man that cannot administer his home can ever rule a state.
One is even tempted to believe that former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu could have lived a little longer, if he was not bothered by the treacherous conducts of his deputy. The man may have peacefully continued with cause of his medical treatment in German and not get ferried to Nigeria on September 7, 2023. It is definitely too late to cry over a spilled milk. Meanwhile, Karma is however a good judge that will reward every man according to his deads. @highlight Followers
