By Tosin Olatokunbo
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state’s second term bid has received a big hit following his shocking revelation, few hours ago, that he has now tested positive for the dreaded corona virus.
“Earlier today, I got confirmation of a positive result for Covid-19. I am asymptomatic and not displaying any symptoms.
I am currently self-isolating and supervised home management will be administered by the wonderful team at our Infectious Disease Hospital. I ask that we all stay safe and be well.”
Keen watchers of developments in the state insist that the governor’s health status will affect his chances in the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship primary holding on July 20, as well as the state governorship election slated for October 10 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Since Governor Akeredolu made his status known, Akure, the state capital, the magazine learnt has gone into silence.
Though the governor has assured his people to go about their businesses, that everything is under control, this has obviously not stopped those close to him to be apprehensive of effects the situation on his re-election.
To underscore their fear, those close to the Alagbaka government house informed the magazine that silence has now pervaded the entire premises after confirming the status of the state’s helmsman.
“Government activities have been at low ebb and everything since to have grounded to a halt following the sad development that our amiable governor has tested positive for the dreaded virus,” a close aide of the governor, who did not want his name mentioned said.
The aide is right. The crisis of confidence between the governor and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi will make the state to be rudderless, as Akeredolu will not want to hand over to his estranged number two man, who last week decamped to the opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the governor’s critics say.
Commissioners and other close aides of the governor are also confused on what would happen with the turn of event.
Indeed, this is not the very best of time for the lawyer turned politician considering that everything seems to be falling apart for him, barely few weeks into the governorship primary where the APC flag-bearer is expected to emerge.
The governor’s current situation, other says, is like moving from the fry pan to fire as groundswell of opposition mount against his re-election, particularly from his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Those that spoke with the magazine said the governor’s status will have a wide implication to rule the state for another four years.
“What this means is that the governor will not be involved in any campaign, because he’s on self isolation as we speak. Apart from this, his kitchen cabinet made up of commissioners and Special Advisers must also self isolate after having contact with their boss,” Titi Adelugba, a resident of the state said.
He explained that his wife, who has been at the forefront of the governor’s re-election campaign will also be forced “to stay in door for at least two weeks, to determine her status and other family members who must have been infected by the governor.”
He stated further that the biggest worry for the governor now, is to find out whether his immediate family members have not been infected by him, and this “will have more psychological effects on him because he’s asymptomatic and people in his condition spread the virus faster.
Meanwhile, time is going and his opponents are likely to latch on the problem that has hit the Akeredolu to consolidate their positions ahead of the governorship election,” he said.
Critics insist that the feud with his deputy has made things worse for him, considering that nobody in that hierarchy will be there to fill in for him when he’s in isolation.
Having parted ways with his deputy, close watchers of the power struggle in the state said, something divine must happen to turn the tide around for Governor Akeredolu.
Apart from this, the governor appears to have lost the support of notable members of his party who have vouched to stop him from picking the APC ticket on July 20.
For instance, Olusola Oke, a chieftain of the APC has insisted that there is no going back on his decision to contest the election, after obtaining the nomination form yesterday.
Oke, the magazine learnt has the backing of the Unity Forum, made up of aggrieved members APC who have now turned against Governor Akeredolu and are poised to frustrate his second term ambition.
“When you consider all of this, you will realize that this is the best time for the governor’s hands to be on the plow. He’s must be everywhere telling the people while he’s still the best candidate. What has happened to him will have a devastating blow on his aspiration, one of his supporters in Akoko told the magazine few minutes ago.
Meanwhile, some close aides of the governor have told the magazine that there’s no cause for alarm.
The people of the state will rally round him because of his developmental strides in the last four years, “regardless the conspiracy against him by those that are not interested in the good of the state. We are praying for him and we believe he will come out stronger from the disease to win the APC primary next month,” a top female aide said.
She added that Governor Akeredolu has been endorsed for re-election, by all the traditional rulers in the state and “this will make a difference for him in the grassroots against his opponents who are only noisemakers and detached from ordinary Ondo people.”
