Aiyedatiwa: Destined To Be Governor

By Ayodele Oni

He is not a stranger in Ondo state politics. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is a popular household name in the politics of Ondo South senatorial district. He has served as a member representing the state on the board of Niger/Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) and even before this, he has held various positions within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

As fate will have it Mr Agboola Ajayi, that deputized late Akeredolu during the first term of office fell out with him, which culminated his exit from APC, joined the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) where he secured ticket to contest against his former principal.

After Ajayi’s exit, many names were put forward as his replacement since the slot for the deputy governor was zoned to the south. It took Akeredolu weeks before he personally invited Aiyedatiwa to come and join him as deputy. Aiyedatiwa, according to information became Akeredolu’s choice because of his humbleness.

Till date, Aiyedatiwa lives at his private residence in Akure and rides his personal vehicle to run government activities. The deputy governor’s residence vacated by his predecessor was taken over by Akeredolu’s son, Babajide.

Before his invitation, Aiyedatiwa had already secured the ticket to go and represent his constituency at the House of Representatives. They both went into the election for the second term ticket and they won.

At the commencement of the administration, the late Governor assigned several duties to the office of the deputy governor among which was the state owned football club, as he continued to represent him at various functions within and outside the state.

Both Akeredolu and Aiyedatiwa share a resemblance as both wear white beard. If not for his tender age, many would have mistook him for the governor. The relationship between the duo went on smoothly until the governor took ill in April. Before he was flown abroad for the first time, he had been bedridden, unable to carry out any official duty and never transmitted power to his deputy until later when it became open that the governor could no longer work.

Before this, many other aides of the governor were not comfortable with the good rappour between both of them and they felt threatened. Now with the governor’s absence, they wanted to draw a gap between them which they achieved. It was first allegation of wife battering against him, he defeated them.

They started feeding the ailing Governor with lies against the deputy one of which was an alleged request for N300 million from the palliatives fund to purchase official vehicle, the premise on which the state House of Assembly received petition and commenced impeachment move against him.

Other aides including commissioners were no longer taking instructions from the deputy governor. A particular special adviser to the governor, and kinsman, took over his job, pushing the deputy governor aside. They accused him of using opposition parties to wage media war against the governor, while he was getting well in Ibadan and the assembly was busy with the impeachment procedure. While this was going on, Aiyedatiwa was prevented from seeing the Governor in Ibadan.

At a point, he has to tender public apology to the governor as one of the terms for reconciliation. When he saw that he might not survive the onslaught, he consulted his lawyers culminating in filling papers, first before the federal high court in Abuja and later another one before Akure high court. The Abuja Court stalled the impeachment procedure with an injunction restraining the governor and the assembly. The state Chief Judge, despite pressure from the assembly hid under the Abuja Court injunction and refused to constitute panel to investigate allegations against the deputy governor.

When it seemed things were getting out of hand the leadership of the APC at national level waded in with setting up of a panel under former Governor Masari. The committee invited Stakeholders in the crisis after which more trouble erupted again.

A group of elders, under the leadership of Pa Reuben Fasoranti met and appealed to President Tinubu to intervene as the crisis was affecting the state negatively. There were calls mainly from the opposition parties that Aiyedatiwa be made acting governor to continue with the administration’s tasks. While this was going on, another allegation surfaced that the ailing governor’s signature was being forged on some documents.

This was confirmed by a cabinet member but another commissioner dismissed the allegation. It was while this was going that President Tinubu invited the leadership of the assembly, APC and the deputy governor to Abuja for a meeting. The outcome of the first interraction was misinterpreted and twisted to favour each of the parties in the dispute. The assembly stepped down the impeachment procedure.

Another meeting was again summoned few days ago by the president when it was evident that the governor’s health was getting worse. It was at this meeting that the president ordered the assembly to proclaim Aiyedatiwa as acting governor using doctrine of necessity. This again generated crisis as some aides led by the son wanted the governor to write the assembly to request for another leave and transmit power to Aiyedatiwa. This was done in compliance with the president’s order.

Now as he is being sworn in as a successor to Akeredolu, like his name, Lucky, luck and patience have bestowed on him the office of governor of Ondo state. As the number one citizen of the state and leader of APC, he will now oversee preparations for next year’s governorship election.

Going by the zoning arrangement of the APC late Akeredolu’s successor is expected to emerge from the south senatorial district where Aiyedatiwa comes from. There are other people in the cabinet and outside that have equally shown interest in the governorship, but with Aiyedatiwa assuming office, he will be in the best position to sway the ticket in his favour.