The ‘Curse’ On Ondo Govt House

By Ayodele Oni

Criticisms from opposition parties and groups in Ondo State are continuing to trail the resolve of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to stay in his private home in Ibadan, Oyo state after his return from three months medical leave abroad.

Even before he finally resolved to seek medical attention abroad, Akeredolu had relocated to the Oyo State capital when it seemed his health was failing. His wife, Betty once cried out that a particular female aide was bringing in concortions for the Governor to treat his health challenge.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and some groups which were hurriedly assembled in the wake of the Governor’s ailment have criticized the government house extension in Ibadan.

According to them, the continued stay of Akeredolu in Ibadan will increase cost of governance as some of the Governor’s aides whose services are germaine will have to relocate with him. And trust these aides and civil servants, they don’t joke with their allowances.

Only this week, a group, Ondo Redemption Front claimed that

“While Mr. Akeredolu returned to the country, for over two weeks that he returned to Nigeria in controversial manner, he has not been sighted in the State rather, he has been hidden somewhere in Ibadan by his cronies where he has been operating through proxies and thereby made governance in the State to be carried out in secrecy.

“Also, worthy of mention is the fact that since the return of Mr. Akeredolu and his refusal to resume at his official duty -post for the governance of the state, a situation that is causing serious apprehension in the state.”

The governor’s aide, Richard Olatunde, has however urged the people to disregard this as nothing has affected governance in the state with the Governor’s resolve to remain in Ibadan.

PDP, said “Akeredolu is beginning to fuel media speculations that, against the advice of his doctors he was hurriedly brought into Nigeria to foil an impeachment process.

“He also ordered an upgrade of his Ibadan residence to include a replica of Executive Council Chambers, from where he intends to hold Exco meetings.

“Does Akeredolu want to make Ibadan the capital of Ondo State? What is the hurry to resume all about, if he cannot come to Ondo State?

“Would it not have made more sense if he was still attending to his health abroad? Why did he say he has resumed when indeed he has not?

“Our party wishes to advise Akeredolu to come to Ondo State to complete his tenure. But if he does not feel fit enough to resume, he can proceed on another medical leave instead of trying to pull wool over our eyes in Ondo State.”

Going down memory lane, especially since 1999 when the present Democratic Rule kicked off, no governor that won second term ticket in the state completed the tenure while living in the Alagbaka Government House. Only former Governor Olusegun Mimiko had served the state for two terms and the incumbent governor. From the record, at the second year of Mimiko’s second term, he hurriedly packed out of the governor’s lodge due to what was described as some diabolical attacks.

He had moved from the old government house which was being used since the creation of the state in 1976 to a new one constructed by his administration to accommodate the governor’s office and lodge. After his few days stay at the new complex, Mimiko was lucky to have survived two attacks by thunder, which completely destroyed a section of the new building.

Government officials then blamed the destruction on shoddy job by contractors. Mimiko did not waste time or tried to toy with his life. He packed his belongings and family members and left for his personal resident at Ondo town where he was coming to the office when he wished and his aides were joining him even some state guests were received at the country home. There was no much noise then because the ex governor’s private residence was within the state.

Now Akeredolu has resolved to remain in Ibadan where he had been practicing law before he became Governor to attend to his health needs. It was even gathered that even while in Akure Akeredolu never stayed at any of the Government houses either old or new one. He was said to be using the Presidential suite within the government house as his residence.

The question now : Is the Alagbaka Government House cursed. What has been preventing second term governors from completing their term inside the well fortified edifice? It is still not known whether Akeredolu will return to Alagbaka before completion of his term but from all indications, he will remain in Ibadan for now to continue to attend to his health .