The transformation of Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu from ‘Political High Tension ‘ to ‘Mr Projects, Mr talk and do ‘ over the last three years is one of the most enduring narratives of this political dispensation.
From the very day Governor Akeredolu took over the reins of leadership and showed the signs of performance, his detractors have been waiting for him to falter. They may have to wait for eternity as the make-up of Governor AKeti has no room for developmental loss of focus .
Those who monitored his swearing-in would remember that his inauguration address had clear-cut steps to be taken for the revival of Ondo State, which was damaged beyond measures by the immediate past PDP administration in the state. Three years down the line, the Ondo State Judiciary and Legislature are operating independently without interference from the State Executive. For Ondo people, this cannot be taken for granted in view of the deliberate attacks on institutions of Government by the immediate past PDP administration.
Right on February 24, 2017, Governor Akeredolu took very concrete steps that have led to his magic wand. He launched the “Operation Zero Potholes Programme ” to address the decayed road infrastructure across the major towns in the state, renovation of our public primary schools to an international standard, construction of new modern hospitals and equipped the existing ones et al.
He went ahead to pay seven months civil servants salary arrears and several months pension arrears inherited from the immediate past administration. Ever since, Governor Akeredolu has remained one of the few governors up to date in terms of payment of salaries and pensions.
Nobody comes takes a tour of Ondo State without coming to the conclusion that Governor Aketi has transformed the state from developmental backwardness to the fast lane of progress. This appreciation of Governor Aketi’s developmental efforts transcend political lines.
At the risk of sounding immodest, there is no single serving governor that can contend with Governor Akeredolu in terms of infrastructural development in the country given the available dwindling resources. Though with several verifiable reasons why he should fail, Governor Aketi chose the path of success–because that is what he promised the good people of Ondo State.
Governor Aketi was a governor who inherited huge debt running to hundreds of billions of naira in the hand over notes. He had to put his administrative skills to use to get the damaged Ondo State Government re-started. Indeed, his detractors predicted doom for the state when they declared that Governor Aketi would be unable to pay salaries, let alone execute projects.
Today, Arakunrin has fondly called has proved the Ondo people right. He has lived up to their expectations through consistent initiation and execution of pro-people projects and programmes. Everywhere you turn in Ondo State, you see projects.
The Aketi’s administration has ensured that governance gets a human face. Governance has come to live with the people and the people are glad.
Most importantly, the world has noticed. In a country where governors are certified authors of excuses of why they are entitled to fail, everyone is eager to celebrate Aketi, a proven performer. Everyone is eager to cite Odunayo as an example, worthy of recognition and celebration. Everyone is asking the question; where is Aketi getting the resources to perform.
On Tuesday 24th February, 2020, the nation stood up to celebrate Ondo’s Best Performing Governor. All eyes were focused on the Ore interchange bridge and the linyi industrial hub situated at Ore. It was an event watched live by millions of Nigerians on national television and online.
The consensus on the day was quite clear. Governor Aketi deserved re-election. He had worked hard to merit the recognition and commendation of President Muhammed Buhari. He commended the governor for being focused in his service to the people of Ondo State despite the false propaganda, evil machinations and political persecution thrown at him. He noted that such high level performance will attract more members to the party. He has judiciously applied the scarce Ondo resources to improve the living condition of the people.
The international diplomats applauded Governor Aketi for placing development projects on the priority list of his government.
In his speech at Ore during the commissioning of the interchange bridge and industrial hub he said that he will continue to count on the support of the people , pointing out that he will never disappoint them.
The governor said: “Without the support of the people, I wouldn’t have been governor. Based on projects, we will continue to increased the tempo of projects execution.
Governor Aketi has clearly shown the route to pragmatic leadership and the effective deployment of scarce resources.
This is a clarion call on the people of Ondo state urging them to support Arakunrin’s re-election bid so that the good work can continue.
