Ordinarily, it is not my business what Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, does with his All Progressives Congress (APC), having exited the party after my brief sojourn there. However, as a stakeholder in the Ondo State Project, it is impossible to keep quiet when the Governor begins to do things that can precipitate crisis in communities that have lived harmoniously together with shared understanding and cooperation.
In the last few days, the rumour mills have been awash with plans by the Governor to impose Hon. Oluwatoyin Allen, the outgoing member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ese-Odo Constituency, in 2027, against the rotation of this position between Arogbo-Ijo and their Apoi brothers. This arrangement was put in place by political, religious, and traditional leaders of Ese-Odo in 1997 when the Local Government was created. It was a product of heated arguments and horse-trading but was agreed upon by all concerned for peace, equity, and stability.
Since 1999, the only position that has maintained the fidelity of this rotation is the Ondo State House of Assembly, unlike the Local Government Chairmanship, which depends on the tenure of Governors and their preferences.
There are other State Constituencies that have adopted this model of rotation for the sake of peace, such as Ileoluji/Okeigbo, which has rotated between Okeigbo and Ileoluji despite the fact that Okeigbo has only four wards while Ileoluji has six wards.
For the purposes of emphasis, it is important to reiterate that the rotation arrangement is respected by all political parties in the Local Government. Of the more than twenty aspirants jostling to replace Hon. Allen in 2027, all are from the Arogbo-Ijo axis across all political divides. It is, therefore, unthinkable how the Governor arrived at his decision to give Allen a second term. I am sure Allen himself can never contemplate this, because it will set him against forces he will battle politically for life if he makes himself a pawn in this political chess game. And for those selling the idea of a second term for Allen to the Governor, they will have their date with ignominy, like Judas Iscariot did.
When Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as Deputy Governor, fought the battle for survival, information in the public space indicated that, out of the 26-member Ondo State House of Assembly, he had only one supporter, Toyin Allen. But through God’s grace and the unfortunate demise of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa became Governor. If 50 politicians were to be profiled or shortlisted for the position of Governor of Ondo State from Ilaje Local Government, it is unlikely that Aiyedatiwa would make the list. Yet, since becoming Governor, he has preoccupied himself with dancing “Biripo,” persecuting those he classifies as enemies, and chasing an illusionary third term until the courts of the land showed him a yellow card.
If Aiyedatiwa thinks he wants to compensate Allen for his support with the Ese-Odo Constituency seat, it is a poisoned chalice. He must rethink.
As State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Aiyedatiwa’s trying moments, the Nigerian Police mobilised armoured tanks to seal up our office when I led the “Aketi Must Resume or Resign” protest.
Even though I was accused of fighting for the wrong person, I did not need to know him; we simply fought for what was right. Throughout that period, I never met him and was not interested in meeting him. And we never met.
If God, in His mercy, has now granted Aiyedatiwa this golden opportunity, why does he want to use it to create division and acrimony? Why does he want to act God? He should be reminded that “those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should not forget to be humble.” He should be satisfied that his “luck” saw him through the darkest days, but it will not grant him the status of God. Aiyedatiwa should not act God.