As the battle for who becomes the deputy to the newly sworn in Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, intensifies, President Bola Tinubu has waded into the matter to ensure a rancour-free process for the emergence of the state’s new number two man.
On Thursday night, it was learnt that Tinubu, who has continued to show interest in the politics of the State, summoned Aiyedatiwa to a late private meeting at his Ikoyi, Lagos, residence, where the matter of who deputises the Ondo Governor was extensively discussed.
Impeccable sources revealed that Tinubu, who expressed displeasure with some of Aiyedatiwa’s actions shortly after the demise of Akeredolu, warned that the choice of a new deputy governor of the state should not create a fresh political crisis in the state.
But the names being peddled as the likely choice of a new deputy governor of Ondo State, it was learnt, are not on
President Tinubu’s list. The Presiding, it was gathered, wants a deputy governor who won’t create any problem for Aiyedatiwa. He’s particularly interested in seeing any of his own men emerge the deputy governor in order to ensure the administration in Ondo carries on the legacy of the late Akeredolu.
However, indications have emerged that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress might be planning to settle for the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ifedayo Abegunde, recently appointed by President Tinubu. Abegunde hails from Akure.
Abegunde, popularly known as Abena, was Secretary to the State Government (SSG) during Akeredolu’s first term in office. But he fell out with the former governor shortly after the primary and was not reappointed by Akeredolu in his second term.
Party sources said the Presidency and the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, are making moves to influence the selection of Abegunde as the next deputy governor of Ondo State.
It is however clear that Aiyedatiwa may face a fresh battle over the choice of his deputy as he prepares to settle down to the governance of the state.
Already, Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded his former boss, Rotimi Akeredolu, who died recently, is under pressure to name his deputy governor.
But the choice of a deputy governor might prove difficult for Aiyedatiwa considering his experience and that of those who stood by him, especially during the political crisis that led to his eventual emergence as the governor after Akeredolu’s death.
Impeccable sources disclosed that Aiyedatiwa, who is still keeping his cards to his chest, might likely picked his deputy from the remaining members of the cabinet, who are loyal to his cause during the attempt by the state Assembly members to impeach him.
The governor, it was learnt, is already exploring all the options before him by either picking his deputy from the Ondo Central Senatorial District or Ondo North Senatorial District, which is the same zone his late boss, Akeredolu, hailed from.
Aiyedatiwa, who is said to have begun early consultation with some political stakeholders and think-tank groups both within and outside the state, is said to be threading with caution regarding his choice of a deputy, especially based on his calculation to contest the governor’s seat in 2024.
Aiyedatiwa, who hails from Ilaje in the Ondo South Senatorial District, it was gathered, had been eyeing the Ondo Governor’s seat before he and Akeredolu fell apart.
Aiyedatiwa had faced a political crisis and impeachment threat following his alleged disloyalty to his late boss. The Assembly led by its Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, slammed Aiyedatiwa with 14 allegations of gross misconduct, including abuse of office with actions likely to bring down the Ondo State Government, financial recklessness, and publications in print media by media aides maligning the credibility of the governor.
Another credible source further revealed that among those being penned for the deputy governor’s seat in the State Executive Council are: the Commissioner for Energy and Water Resources, Mr Rasaq Obe and the Chief of Staff to late governor Akeredolu, Mr Olugbenga Ale.
Obe, who hails from Ilara Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state (Central) was one the few members of the cabinet who stood by Aiyedatiwa after he exposed, through the service of forensic experts, how the signature of the late governor was forged by some cabals within the cabinet to tamper with official document and the state treasury.
Obe, who is now being referred to as the ‘starboy’ for exposing the cabals in the cabinet, was among the few members of the state executive council who refused to sign the vote of confidence passed on Governor Akeredolu on November 16, 2023, by the council.
Ale, who is from Owo (North), the same town with late governor Akeredolu, is the current Chief of Staff allegedly sidelined by the kitchen cabinet of Akeredolu who also accused him of disloyalty to his former boss after falling sick and refused to quickly handover government while still on sickbed.
Already, those pushing for Ale as the deputy governor of the state, claimed that the political equation in the state would still be balanced and serve as a compensation for Akeredolu who could not complete his tenure before he died.