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  • Protest rocks Owo as traditionalists, market women, youths blast Akeredolu’s widow

    Protest rocks Owo as traditionalists, market women, youths blast Akeredolu’s widow

    Residents of Owo on Thursday trooped out en mass to back the demolition of the memorial park built to immortalise the victims of the June 2, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Xavier Catholic Church Owo. 

    The memorial park, built by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s led administration, was pulled down over the weekend over its location considered as a ‘taboo’ and against the culture and belief of Owo people. 

    Converging on the front of the palace of the Olowo of Owo, the protesters said the demolition was long overdue after several discountenance over the site of the cenotaph. 

    The protesters, among which were youths and market women,  led by some traditionalists in the community, also condemned Betty-Anyanwu Akeredolu, the widow of the late Governor over his utterances on Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye for backing the demolition. 

    Mrs Akeredolu, on Wednesday stormed the tomb of her husband in Owo, and condemned the demolition of the memorial park, accusing Oba Ogunoye of destroying the project and legacies of the late Akeredolu. 

    The former First Lady also described the Owo monarch, whom he claimed was installed by the late Akeredolu as a ‘baby Oba’. 

    Speaking on behalf of the protestors, one of the chiefs of Owo, Idowu Olakunori, lambasted Mrs Akeredolu, saying the former first lady was disrespectful to the monarch for his utterance. 

    “She (Mrs Akeredolu) disrespected the community. Whatever point she had, she should have been cautious. We cannot allow anybody to disrespect our Oba. 

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    “She called our oba, ‘baby oba’, She has desecrated our land and cultures with such language. Whoever disrespects our king won’t go free. It is erroneously bad and barbaric to be calling our monarch such names. 

    “I don’t want to go further by referring to one’s place of birth, but in our clime here, we respect our traditional institutions and hold them in very high esteem,” he said.

    Olakunori added:”Now, she spoke about Aketi’s legacy. Aketi was never a local person. He was a national person, and he had all legacies all over the place. Among the legacies he left behind is the Amotekun, which is protecting the entire Yoruba race. 

    “So when you are talking of some kind of a legacy, it’s a legacy that is almost without a doubt. Not the one that disrespects the culture and the traditional institutions. 

    “Our people have come out today to show their anger. Nobody, irrespective of where you came from, should be allowed to disrespect their legacy place.”

  • Rotimi Akeredolu (1956 – 2023)

    Rotimi Akeredolu (1956 – 2023)

    • He was a front foot for justice and federalism

    Ironically, his Yoruba nickname was Aketi, meaning, one who cannot be cut down. But in a malevolent twist of fate, the charismatic governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, died from cancer on December 27, aged 67.   

    He was an activist of the first rank. He had a position on any issue, and as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu pointed out in his tribute, he was “a fearless defender of truth and the masses.”

    As a top lawyer and activist, he fought for the enthronement of true federalism, a fair electoral system and balance in the realm of justice. As governor, he did not only pursue infrastructure and welfare programmes before poor health stalled him, he was at the forefront of the fight for Amotekun that put him on a collision course with elements in the Buhari government who supported herdsmen encroachment over the assertion of the southwest’s rights to defend itself within a federal framework.

    He studied at the former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where he earned a degree in Law, and also attended the Nigerian Law School.  Thereafter, with a determination to succeed, the man from Owo, in present-day Ondo State, settled down in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, to use Law as an instrument to fight societal ills and defend the vulnerable. He would not allow any oppression to go without a fight. The man fought until he drew his last breath, “peacefully in his sleep,” as his first son, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jnr, said in the statement that announced his passing.

    Read Also: Rotimi Akeredolu: Little Resources, Meritorious Feats

    In his chosen profession, he achieved distinction, making the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank in 1998. Before then, he had been appointed Attorney General of his state. He went on to become the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) with a clear agenda that he fought to accomplish.

    His service as Attorney General and President of NBA launched him on the path of partisan politics. He was a prominent member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and ran for governor in Ondo State in the 2012 election, but was defeated by Dr Rahman Mimiko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was also one of the founding members of the All Progressives Party (APC), on which platform he contested and won the 2016 governorship election and was reelected in 2020.

    His virtues included forthrightness, sagacity, and integrity. At difficult moments, he demonstrated these qualities, notably when, as chairman of the Southwest governors, he had to lead the battle to rid the zone of murderous herdsmen. Also, he championed the establishment of the Amotekun Corps, and equipped it to take the battle to all undesirable elements. 

    Importantly, when it was time to prepare for the 2023 general elections, he was saddled with the duty of leading all Southern governors as they demanded that the political parties should zone the presidential ticket to the South. He never backed off even when some of the governors repudiated the agreement.

    However, as a result of his failing health, he gradually lost his vigour and capacity to govern early in the year, and was thus forced to take a medical leave in June. On his return in September, it was apparent that he was not ready to continue with governance as friends and family members ensured that he was confined to his Ibadan residence, which generated avoidable controversy on his fitness.

     An attempt by those believed to be loyal to him to get his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, impeached failed as the President had to step in. The truce that got power transferred to the deputy as Acting Governor was also brokered by President Tinubu. This is one development all politicians and leaders should learn from as no one is indispensable. The deputy to whom he was reluctant to transfer state power was inaugurated as his successor.

    Akeredolu, a former Chancellor of the Anglican Diocese of Owo and recipient of the Nigerian national honour, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), was perhaps more successful as a social critic, activist, and fighter for justice. As a politician, he was possibly faced with unfamiliar challenges in a strange sphere. He came to power with the image of a performer, but his governorship years, perhaps owing to his health, did not live up to the promise of markedly progressive governance.

  • Akeredolu, others seek support for young, old people

    ONDO State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has urged eminent Nigerians not to neglect care for young and old people.

    Akeredolu, who was represented by a former House of Representatives member, Dr Temitayo Fawehinmi, said this on Tuesday at the 25th anniversary and annual awards ceremony of Ibitayo Fawehinmi Foundation in Lagos.

    The governor extolled the virtues of the founder of the foundation, the late Samuel Fawehinmi, urging well-meaning Nigerians to emulate his philanthropic gesture.

    Read Also: Akeredolu vows to sustain interaction with LU leaders

    He said: “Care for the old people is something that should not be neglected. Unfortunately, it is rare for the people to remember the old people. But Baba Fawehinmi did not just remember them, he cared for them and built a home for them.”

    The chairman of the occasion, Prof Olukunle Iyanda, said the late Fawehinmi will always be remembered for his sacrifice for the less previledged.

    “As a successful businessman, the late Fawehinmi did not monopolise his wealth. He was concerned about the health and well-being of children and old people. Baba was a man of many parts: he was a teacher and an entrepreneur who believed in putting into practice what he was teaching,” Iyanda said.

     

     

     

  • Akeredolu vows to sustain interaction with LU leaders

    ONDO State Head of Service (HoS), Dare Aragbaiye, has assured all workers in the state that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration would continue to interact with the leadership of labour unions in order to sustain the cordial relationship between them and the government.’

    Aragbaiye gave the assurance at the second quarterly Joint Negotiating Council (JNC) management meeting held at the weekend in Akure, the state capital. The HoS had at a different gathering acknowledged the support of workers to the numerous achievements of his administration in the last two years.

    The Permanent Secretary, Department of Establishment and Training, Victor Olajorin, appreciated the HoS for facilitating and personally attending the meeting, which he said is a right step towards achieving harmonious government-labour relationship in the state.

  • Akeredolu orders probe into Assembly snake incident

    The controversy over the purported invasion of the Ondo State House of Assembly complex by a snake has assumed another dimension with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Sunday ordering the probe of the appearance of the reptile.

    The governor, who expressed dismay on the snake scare at the state parliament, inspected the facilities at the State House of Assembly.

    He said his government would investigate what brought the snake into the law chamber while the lawmakers were in session.

    The lawmakers had on Thursday scampered for safety when a snake dropped from the roof and landed on the hallow chamber during the plenary.

    It led to hasty suspension of  proceedings as directed by the Speaker, Bamidele Oleyelogun.

    Akeredolu, however, blamed the lawmakers, alleging blackmail in such a circumstance.

    He said his inspection of facilities at the premises of the House did not suggest that snakes could penetrate into the chamber.

    The governor alleged that members of the House of Assembly diverted the money earmarked for maintenance of the facilities in the Assembly complex to other things.

    Read Also: Okowa felicitates with Akeredolu at 63

    Although he admitted that the facilities at the Assembly complex need renovation, the governor said he could not believe that a live snake could jump from the roof into the chamber.

    But the Speaker said there was no iota of lie in the story, stressing that the matter was painted more than the actual incidence in the social media.

    According to him, the House had requested for fund for the total renovation of structures and facilities at the Assembly’s complex before the incident.

     

     

  • Okowa felicitates with Akeredolu at 63

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Sunday felicitated with his Ondo State counterpart, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, who turned 63 years on July 21.

    Okowa’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba.

    He lauded the professional competence and administrative prowess of Akeredolu.

    He described Akeredolu as “a humane, urbane, cerebral leader of inestimable value and a committed progressive concerned with the yearnings and aspirations of the people of Ondo.’’

    Okowa extolled the sterling and legendary contributions of Akeredolu, saying that his visionary and pragmatic programme of change had ensured job creation through agriculture, entrepreneurship, industrialisation as well as massive infrastructure and rural development, among others.

    “It is heart-warming to note that you have through dint of hardwork, discipline and uncommon vision won the admiration and respect of Ondo State people and the nation at large.

    Read Also: Okowa swears in 8 commissioners

    “The governor’s commitment to the development of Ondo State was increasingly yielding the expected results.

    “Your focus and commitment to the growth and development of Ondo State is commendable and worthy of emulation.

    “The people of Ondo State are indeed proud of your antecedents and achievements since they overwhelmingly elected you to lead the state to a brighter future ahead of them.

    “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I heartily rejoice with a reputable politician, outstanding professional and my brother governor, His Excellency, Mr. Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN), Governor of Ondo State as he turns 63 years old today, July 21, 2019.

    ”I am pleased to join your family and other well-wishers in thanking God for blessing you with the strength and wisdom to live a fulfilling life of honesty and commitment to the well-being of all Ondo people.

    “It is our prayer that God will continue to protect you and grant you good health to render more services to mankind,” Okowa said.

    NAN

  • No deserving public servant “ll be denied promotion, says Akeredolu

    ONDO State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has lifted the spirit of the state public service as he inaugurated no fewer than 31 new permanent secretaries and tutors-general.

    The governor assured that no deserving public servants would be denied their promotions.

    The inauguration was the second in the series since Governor Akeredolu assumed power.

    Read Also: Building collapse: Four dead in Delta

    Besides assuring the public servants of his administration’s determination to keep the workforce motivated for optimum service delivery, the governor added that their welfare would be a priority.

    He also assured the people of the state of his determination not to allow political considerations to overwhelm good reasoning and sound judgement.

    Akeredolu said: “The new appointees have been drawn from the mainstream civil service and local government services.

     

  • Akeredolu hails Olowo-elect

    Ondo  State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has congratulated Prince Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye on his election as the Olowo-elect of Owo Kingdom.

    The governor’s message came after he received report from one of the senior Omolowos (kingmakers), Chief Jamiu Ekungba, on the outcome of the selection process.

    According to him, the selection was peaceful, democratic and in line with the customs and tradition guiding the selection of an Olowo.

    The governor said as the state government awaits a formal written communication from the kingmakers as required by the law, he was enamoured by the peaceful conduct that heralded the emergence of the Olowo-elect.

    Akeredolu, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Donald Ojogo,  lauded the peaceful manner in which the selection processes went since they began.

    This, according to him, has dwarfed the needless tension, which enveloped the ancient city since the beginning of the selection processes.

    Read Also: Ondo is NYSC friendly state, says Akeredolu

    He said: “It is, therefore, apposite to submit that the ingenious democratic template enunciated by the kingmakers has produced the choice of Owo indigenes as demonstrated by the outcome of the selection.

    “Mr. Governor considers this highly commendable and an enduring legacy for Owo kingdom.”

    Wishing Prince Ogunoye God’s wisdom and grace as he prepares to ascend the throne of his forebearers, Akeredolu appealed to the Olowo-elect to unite all sons and daughters of Owo Kingdom.

    He particularly enjoins Prince Ogunoye to extend hands of fellowship to other contenders to the ancient throne before his emergence.

  • Ore: From ‘theatre of war’ to industrial hub

    Ore, a town in Ondo State, is known to be theatre-of-war during the Nigerian Civil War. When Rotimi Akeredolu was elected as governor of Ondo State, he promised to transform the rustic town into an industrial hub. STEVE OTALORO writes that Ore town has become an insdustrial hub as promised.

    The mention of Ore town will send chills down the spine of so many people who were active participants of the great battle that took place there in the late 60s. It is a town where thousands of Nigerians were mowed down in a reckless and wanton manner during the Nigerian Civil War.

    Ore town was a theatre-of-war where the Nigerian troops and their Biafran opponents confronted each other in a fierce battle for the gain of Nigeria’s soul and territories.

    The sleepy town of Ore was historically known as the battle ground where the Biafran soldiers’ advancement into Lagos was halted by the superior and sophisticated weaponry power and tactical maneuvers of the Nigerian forces during the civil war.

    The battle was so fierce that it lasted for so long, almost unending. It was a defining moment in the war history, one which prevented the Biafran soldiers from gaining access to overrun the Western region of Nigeria, particularly, Ibadan and Lagos that were the seat of the Western Region government and Nigeria’s federal capital, respectively.

    This battle epitomised the defeat suffered the most by the ravaging Biafran Army which, consequently, led to the prevention of the Biafran troops from gaining further territorial leverage after they had captured the Midwestern states.

    Ore is a gateway town, situated in a vantage position between the Western and the Eastern parts of Nigeria. The historic town was so important to Nigeria’s continuity that it could sway victory to the enemy if captured during the civil war by the Biafran soldiers. The Nigerian Army has a real test and fierce battle for the soul of Nigeria at Ore. The Biafran Army which could not withstand the firepower of Nigerian troops retreated and the war was eventually restricted to the Eastern side of the federation.

    Vestiges of the civil war are still evident in this town and in our history till date as “o le ku, ija ore” was coined as a Yoruba maxim in describing the great military battle at Ore during the Nigerian civil war.

    In spite of the significance of Ore in the history the country and its strategic gateway location between the Western and the Eastern axes of Nigeria, Ore remained a very semi-urban town with poor infrastructure to support its huge population that comprised people from different parts of the country who have found a home in the town as traders and farmers.

    Also, Ore’s potential as a viable transit gate between the western and the eastern parts of Nigeria is another reason that its population is booming. The town has, however, been growing organically from its modest beginning after the civil war without no concerted effort by successive federal and state administrations to address infrastructure deficit of this this historic town. More importantly, to develop it into a functional city with full options of infrastructural development that will support her ever-teeming population after the civil war.

    Ore now enjoys the attention it deserves since the inception of the administration of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). Governor Akeredolu has made true his promise of making Ore, a once-theatre-of-war town into becoming one of the industrial hubs of Nigeria.

    Akeredolu gave hope to Ore town as it joins the league of industrialised areas of the country. It is a common sight passing through Ore to see massive constructions of overhead bridges and link roads on the expressway to Lagos, Benin and Ondo town. These will serve as infrastructure support baseline for Ore as an industrial hub.

    When these multi-billion Naira constructions are completed, it will put an end to the traffic jam on the popular Ore Junction and adequately ease the flow of traffic on the notorious transit axis of Lagos-Benin-Ondo Road in Ore town that was partially caused by the location of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) deport at the entrance of the expressway in Ore.

    In his determination to ensure the realisation of Ore as an industrial hub and as a solid economic base for Ondo State, Governor Akeredolu has embarked on an investment tour to China at the inception of his administration in 2017. That tour gave birth to an entirely new industrial park, now called Ondo Linyi Industrial Park, situated at Ore. The park is an offshoot of Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong in China where Akeredolu signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Linyi Municipal Government of Shandong Province of the People’s Republic of China in 2017.

    Since that MoU was signed, many Investors from the Shandong Province of China have made good their promise to set up different industries in this park.

    Already, Linyi Industrial Park in Ore is bubbly as human and vehicular traffic are common features of the landscape of this once-empty space in the woods. Different companies have set up plants and warehouses while many other companies are undergoing construction.

    A paper mill, a textile company, an ethanol plant, a medium-density fiberboard, a high-density fiberboard and plywood factories and a host of other agriculture products-based companies have commenced production at the Ore Industrial Park.

    With the completion of the paper mill, the ethanol plant, the plywood factory and other industries, they will provide combined efforts in excess of over 20,000 direct jobs while many more double that figure are expected to benefit from jobs created down the value chain for residents of the state.

    The choice of Ore as the nation’s industrial hub was apt and a decision well thought out by Akeredolu because the town is strategically located between the western and the eastern gateway of the country.

    The people in the community are mostly settlers. The land is devoid of the activities of the notorious land grabbers who often prevent ease of doing business in some other traditional settlements.

    The proximity of Ore to Lagos ports through the proposed bridge by the Akeredolu’s administration over the Atlantic Ocean to Lekki in Lagos is the icing on the cake that makes Ore town the perfect location for the nation’s next industrial hub where thousands of hectares of land are in abundant and waiting for development.

    Sooner than later, Ore will become an industrial hub.

    Many established companies in Nigeria are now taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the Ondo State government in assisting prospective businesses in securing land free to establish their factories upon request. More than 50 existing companies in Nigeria have made inquiries on how to relocate their companies to Ore and be part of the industrial revolution going on in Ondo State.

    No doubt, Akeredolu has, through his performance indices across the nook and cranny of the state, etched his name in the history of the state as a visionary leader; one with inexorable desire for the growth and development of his people.

    • Steve Otaloro is the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC in Ondo State.

  • Ondo: Akeredolu and APC’s festering crisis

    There is fear that except the national leadership of All Progressives Congress moves fast to resolve the festering crisis within its Ondo State chapter, the party may be threatened in future elections, reports Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan

    THE crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has deepened as stakeholders within the ruling party continue to haul brickbats at one another over the reported querying and suspension of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC over allegations of anti-party activities during the last general elections in the state.

    According to party sources who spoke to The Nation on the raging crisis on condition of anonymity, Akeredolu is being accused of using state and party machineries to support the aspirations of some National Assembly candidates who contested the February National Assembly Elections on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA) in some parts of the state.

    The Nation gathered that the reported suspension of the governor is not unconnected with the hordes of petitions received from numerous chieftains of the party in the state accusing Akeredolu of dumping the APC candidates in the affected areas and supporting the AA candidates as part of his camp’s protest against the alleged imposition of some National Assembly candidates by the national leadership of the party contrary to the desires of the governor.

    Trouble started between the governor and the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC when the party decided to give automatic tickets to the three senators in the state to seek re-elections on its platform. Akeredolu, who had been at loggerheads with one of the beneficiaries, Senator Ajayi Borrofice, protested and insisted that primary elections be held, to determine who the APC candidates should be in the elections in the state.

     

    Suspended, unaware

    After the general elections, the NWC of the APC reportedly communicated Akeredolu’s suspension to him following a query earlier issued him by the national leadership of the ruling party, urging him to defend allegations of anti-party activities leveled against him by some prominent members of the party across the state. Party sources told The Nation that scores of petitions were received by the NWC from members of the APC in the state on the matter.

    Reports claim the governor was told in clear terms that he will remain on suspension from the party for engaging in anti-party activities until a decision is taken on whether to expel him from the ruling party or have him punished in other ways as allowed by the constitution of the party. While the party is yet to make an official statement confirming the reports, it has also failed to issue a statement debunking the reports.

    Early last month, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Isa-Onilu, after the meeting presided over by Oshiomhole, the APC announced that Akeredolu’s anti-party activities “greatly affected the fortunes of its candidates in the recently conducted Presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.” Isa-Onilu, while speaking to reporters, also confirmed that a query had been sent to Akeredolu based on the directive of the NWC.

    “Yes, it has been done. The query has been sent to him according to the NWC’s resolution,” he said, while adding that he couldn’t tell whether the governor had responded to the query at the time or not. “It is not to my knowledge whether he has replied the query. You know that it is not my department that handles that particular assignment. I am not the one to receive his reply if he has done so. But I know that a query has been dispatched to him,” he said.

    However, Segun Ajiboye, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, while insisting that reports of the suspension are untrue, said his boss has yet to receive any query from the party’s National Working Committee. “As far as we are concerned, it is a rumour. The governor did not receive any query. The matter itself is an internal affair of the party which will be handled by the party.”

    Meanwhile, checks at the secretariat of the party revealed that the APC’s NWC may had on the first day of March, taken the decision to issue a query to the governor following its conclusion that Akeredolu has some explanations to make over some of his activities during the last general elections in the state as alleged in some of the petitions received by the party against him.

     

    Unending spats

    Recently, Otito Atikase, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akeredolu on Political Affair’s, re-ignited the face-off in the embattled state chapter of the APC when he accused the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, and the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of being behind the travails of the governor in the party. According to him, some forces are bent on working against Akeredolu at all cost.

    “Akeredolu is a principled man who does not play politics with anything goes. “He will not allow anything that is not right to be done. Tinubu and Oshiomhole should not rule the party for their expansionist and narrow agenda. All I can see is the aftermath of the defeat Tinubu suffered when he sponsored Alliance for Democracy, AD, against Akeredolu in 2016.What disciplinary action did the party put in place?

    Oshiomhole, on the other hand, wanted his candidate to be picked after him in Edo but Akeredolu supported the man on the seat-Obaseki. Adams was very angry, so he became Chairman of the party to witch-hunt our governor. All I know is that Ondo people will determine who governs them. The God who brought Akeredolu to governance is not dead but reigns supreme over them,” Atikase said.

    But Bola Ilori, a chieftain of the party, accused Governor Akeredolu, of being the “spanner in the cog of wheel” of peace in the party. The former Commissioner for Regional Integration in Osun State said Akeredolu’s vengefulness and uncooperative attitude are the root causes of the lingering disunity and disharmony within the state chapter of the APC.

    “It was well reported on national headlines that Akeredolu organised an attack on me at the venue of an official government assignment in Akure. We were to go to court, but some elders of the party, led by Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others, intervened. They appealed to all aggrieved against the gubernatorial election processes to drop all further agitation and return to the party and embrace unity.

    “I also wish to place on the record that, as the Director General of the Alliance for Democracy campaigns in 2016, I don’t have any record of funding received from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola or Senator Ajayi Boroffice for the AD. I dare Akeredolu and his team to come up with such fact. Let it be noted that neither Asiwaju Tinubu nor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola directed us to the AD nor funded the party.

    “They did not campaign for the party to the best of my record, also. If any of Akeredolu minions is in possession of substantive evidence against any of our leaders let such fellow come forward with it or forever keep their peace. We, as adults have rights to our independent actions and Asiwaju never encourage sycophancy, he promotes robust intellectual discuss and don’t see dissent as a crime, yet we voluntarily hold him in high esteem,” Ilori countered.

     

    Fresh trouble

    Sadly, efforts to resolve the differences among the chieftains of the party appear not to be yielding fruits. Instead, a fresh face-off recently erupted between the camps of Governor Akeredolu and Senator Borrofice over a petition filed against the victory of the Senator at the National Assembly Election last February. As we speak, some aggrieved members of the party have ruled out reconciliation with the governor, accusing him of still working against the party.

    Specifically, Boroffice recently accused Akeredolu of instigating a petition against him at the election tribunal. In a statement by his Press Secretary, Kayode Fakuyi, the Senator claimed the governor’s loyalist, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, sponsored a petition against him at the Election Petition Tribunal as the candidate of the APC, in the last election in the state. He also insisted that Akeredolu was in the know of the said petition.

    The statement was in response to an earlier claim by one of the governor’s aides that Akeredolu intervened on behalf of the APC and Boroffice by asking the Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN), to withdraw the petition it submitted to the tribunal over the absence of its logo on the ballot paper. The petition was subsequently withdrawn to save Borrofice’s mandate.

    But Fakuyi said: “The Mega Party of Nigeria (MPN) did not actually file petition against INEC and Boroffice. It was the senatorial candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for Ondo North, Mr. Tunji Abayomi, who sponsored the case on behalf of MPN without the authorisation of the national leadership of MPN.

    “Instructively, Mr. Tunji Abayomi of the Action Alliance could not have sponsored the case without the support and nod of his political leader, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. From the above-stated facts, it is clear Governor Rotimi Akeredolu did not play any such role like role of arbiter in the resolution of the MPN to discontinue a case that was initiated and instituted on its behalf without its authorisation.”

     

    Still a divided House

    As part of the effort to resolve the crisis before the last general election, a Peace and Reconciliation Committee was inaugurated by the party in January. Speaking during the inauguration of the 15 man committee, Adetimehin had said the committee was put in place to resolve all the crises within the party ahead of the election. He also charged the committee to draw from their political experience to ensure that every aggrieved member of the party is pacified.

    “You have been carefully selected. I charge you to represent the party well and justify the confidence reposed in you. You are not going to judge anyone but write and submit a report to us based on what you meet on the field,” he said back then. He urged the committee, which was decentralised into senatorial zones, to submit its report to the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, within the next one week. But it appears nothing good came out of the assignment of the peace committee.

    Currently, a number of other leading figures of the APC in Ondo State, including former chairman of the party, Isaac Kekemeke, a former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, as well as a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Baderinwa, are currently at loggerheads with the governor and his people. Reliable party sources said most of the aggrieved members are not ready for the reconciliation.

    When contacted, the Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Ade Adetimehin, said stories of crises and disagreements in the party are being sponsored by enemies of the party. According to him, before, during and after the elections, the party was and remained united. “I want to tell you that there is no crisis in our party. We remain one and that is why we are doing great in the state. The APC in Ondo State is moving forward and we have no problem.”

    But a group within the state chapter of the party disagrees with Adetimehin. According to the Mandate Group, the crisis currently troubling the APC in Ondo State is capable of affecting the chances of the party in the forthcoming gubernatorial election and as such, should promptly be looked into by the national leadership of the ruling party. The group also wants the state leadership of the party sacked.

    The group, which has been complaining that Governor Akeredolu was working against the interest of the party said Akeredolu and the state party chairman actually worked for the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in the election, attributing the PDP victory in the state to the anti-party activities carried out by the governor.

    Addressing newsmen at the APC national secretariat, the group’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Olugbenga Bojuwomi, said they have evidence that Akeredolu did not vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and all APC candidates in the Feb. 23 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. The aggrieved party members also blamed the governor and the leadership of the party in the state for the disunity within the party in the state.