This is not the first time Lucky Aiyedatiwa would be performing the function of a governor in acting capacity. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has always transmitted power to him whenever he was going on annual vacation. It was a system that flowed with the ‘one administration’ mantra of Akeredolu.
However, the manner some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of Aiyedatiwa celebrated his new role as Acting Governor confirmed a crack in the ruling party.
The relationship between Aiyedatiwa and Akeredolu hit the rock when the governor travelled to Ibadan to take ‘some rest.’ Aiyedatiwa was accused of plotting to unseat Akeredolu after he failed to see him when he took some files to Ibadan. He was alleged to have shared positions to his allies for support. Akeredolu eventually began medical leave and handed power to Aiyedatiwa.
Reports in some national dailies and social media accused some cabal of frustrating Aiyedatiwa’s performance as Acting Governor although Aiyedatiwa was also accused of not issuing any directive that was not obeyed. During Akeredolu’s three months medical leave, the State Executive Council met only once.
The return of Akeredolu in September widened the gulf in the relationship as the Ondo Assembly made moves to impeach Aiyedatiwa. The frosty relationship collapsed governance in the state even as allegations of forgery of Akeredolu’s signature was raised. It was the intervention of President Bola Tinubu amidst public outcry that has doused tension in the state.
The question on the lips of many political observers is whether there is any new role for Aiyedatiwa now as Acting Governor other than what he has been doing in his previous outing whenever Akeredolu embarked on vacation.
To some, the belief that Akeredolu might not make it back alive would empower Aiyedatiwa to take drastic measures that would entrench him in power ahead of next year’s governorship primary. Some analysts are of the opinion that Aiyedatiwa can now curb the powers of the cabal and take far reaching decisions if he could not reach his boss for guidance.
Several social engagements of Aiyedatiwa’s supporters showed thet want him to assert his authority and shove Akeredolu’s men aside. Many non-political actors who supported him during his battles against impeachment, want him to not only assert himself but provide good governance.
According to human rights lawyer and activist, Tope Temokun, “If Ayedatiwa wants to please individuals and refuse to appreciate the enormous powers the constitution has donated to him and fail to exercise his full powers to set the state on the path of good governance and refuse to have a mind of his own, he will end up in disgrace because the people will rise up against him and no one will save him.”
Convener of the Ondo Liberation Initiative (OLI) Alabi Johnson, said Aiyedatiwa used to depend on his boss in his previous outing as Acting Governor but that he is now independent.
“Acting Governor is a Governor. He can hire and fire. He can do whatever a Governor does in other states. Our agitation was for things to be normal. We are watching him. We want him to do things that will touch the lives of the people.”
A university lecturer, Dr. Gbenga Abimbola, said there used to be mutual trust between Aiyedatiwa and his boss in previous times when the Governor embarked on vacation. He said incidents of the last three months has caused lots of distrust.
“They have no option than to work with Aiyedatiwa. Aiyedatiwa might have learnt a lot of lessons from his previous outing as Acting Governor. He is going to be a better Acting Governor. He can take decisions to the effect that it is to the interest of the state.
“He cannot work in isolation. He will consult his boss if he has access. The law allows him to take certain decisions. He is exercising the office of the governor on behalf of Akeredolu so he can take far reaching decisions.”
A chietain of the APC who pleaded anonymity said the actions of Aiyedatiwa was to enable him check the books to ensure the proper thing was done as regards local government fund.
“Many people are feeling that they froze the account for them to check all the papers to ensure the proper thing was done.
“People felt that that cabal was having a field day with the allocation of the local counils. At this time we need money to celebrate Christmas but it it good the proper thing is done.”
Fear gripped political appointees in the state over the next action of Aiyedatiwa when Caretaker Chairmen of the local councils received a message that purportedly emanated from Aiyedatiwa’s office asking them to stop further expenditure from the councils’ account.
The newly created LCDAs were reportedly asked not to open new accounts. A message to the local councils reads, “Distinguished HOLGAs, Your Excellency the Acting Governor of Ondo state had directed that all spending/ expenditure from local government account should be suspended, no signing of cheques, no change of signatories,no withdrawal of any sort until further directive.
“Please adhere strictly to instruction and be guided.”
A Caretaker Chairman who confirmed receiving the message said the development was worrisome and a ploy to go after those that managed affairs of the councils in the last three months.
The Caretaker Chairman who pleaded anonymity said Aiyedatiwa made the move to assert authority in line with his vision as well as cut a niche for himself.
“Yes, he has blocked account of the local government. He is doing it to make the Caretaker Chairmen fall in line ahead of the party primary next year. He believes the local government fund has been diverted.
“Tactically, he is trying to assert his own authority to make things work in his favour. He blocked accoount of local government which is the grassroot. He is doing to make the Caretaker Chairmen fall in line with him.
“He believes the local government funds have been diverted. I think it is a ploy to indict his contenders at the primary so that they would not contest against him.
“The first challenge is that Tinubu has told him not to witch hunt and do anything that will not go down well with party members. We know he has the reason to do what he is doing.
“What we are seeing is that he is working against what Akeredolu stood for. He cannot bring vengeance to governance.”
A letter addressed to members of the State Executive Council and top government functionaries further heightened tension. The official said cabinet members had worked together as a team whenever Akeredolu transmitted power to Aiyedatiwa
The letter signed by Omojuwa Olusegun reads, “The Acting Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has directed me to inform all Members of the State Executive Council and Top Government Functionaries that the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor would be responsible for the preparation and signing of his official engagements for the time being.
“The Chief of Protocol would take charge of this responsibility as soon as Mr. Governor resumes from his medical vacation.”
To many APC members, this directive by Aiyedatiwa was to enable him secure loyalty and consolidate himself in power. Another source said Aiyedatiwa was not happy that he was not consulted nor asked to nominate any of the Caretaker Committee including in his Ilaje local government area.
A close ally of Aiyedatiwa said the move was to consolidate his hold on power ahead of the governorship primary scheduled for April next year. A top government functionaries said the steps taken by Aiyedatiwa was being viewed as going after those that might contested the primary against him.
Ondo Commissioner in the Oil and Gas Producing Areas Commission (OSOPADEC) Kehinde Akinrotoye, said many supporters of Aiyedatiwa were already penciled to be sacked ahead of the governorship primary.
“He is fully in charge now and in control of this state. This issue of cabal is no more.”
Another APC chieftain, Kunle Segun Odidi, said Aiyedatiwa will not derail from the vision of Akeredolu but would add more value towards the goods of the state.
On the Caretaker Chairmen, he said, “The swearing in conducted for the Caretaker Committee was illegal. There is a court order that said the Committee should not be inaugurated. You cannot build something on nothing. If Aiyedatiwa is a product of the rule of law he should follow the law. I do not expect him to be doing something ultra vires.
“I know by the provision of the Constitution, once a power if transmitted, he posses all powers snd rights and privileges of the Governor. I did not see any challenge. It is expected to support the Acting Governor until the substantive Governor resume. He should be supported. It is for the system and not for Aiyedatiwa. Ondo State belongs to all of us. We must look beyond sentiments. He is expected to follow the mission and vision of the Governor. I do not see Aiyedatiwa derailing from Akeredolu but adding more value towards the goods of the state.”
