Instead, I see ‘ATARI AJANAKU’ in the Resolution to the Ondo State Political imbroglio – Faseesin Olasunmbo, Esq
The account, and reports of the Aso Resolution is fraught with incisive but subtle criticism.I have carefully read the brilliant opinion of a senior lawyer, Barr. Ebiseni. Truth is, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi,SAN enjoys allegiance to a reasonable extent that members of his cabinet, in some reasonable degree, are jostling for the highest stake and replacement of status. Unfortunately, Aiyedatiwa, unveiling too quickly his ambition, and neglecting the circumstance under which he emerged Deputy Governor may have constituted among other things the bane. Other potential candidates who are qualified would less respect his leadership and even claim he’s not more superior, but Lucky to get Arakunrin’s approval, first, as Deputy Governor amidst competing & conflicting interests. It is the same vein that your advice suffices, asking all would-be candidates for the Guber election to resign, but cleverly isolating the Deputy Governor. If at all, they all must resign, including Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to go contest on a level playing ground. Now, lawyers are smart to say, “you cannot use the Law as an instrument of fraud “. In other words, you can not use the opportunity of a statutory office, as joint ticket, to influence or, cheat other potential would-be candidates for the Guber election and who are within the cabinet. While you see, “ebiiti”, I have chosen to see, “atari ajanaku”. It’s therefore not a mince meat becoming a Governor of a state. It must be a long walk, and not a short cut. If you read, “LONG WALK TO VICTORY” AND PERHAPS, “ZAMBIA SHALL BE FREE”, then my arguments might just be reasonable to discerning minds.
To my senior learned brother, it’s so unfortunate they all left Governance in chase for power, and Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa is complicit. All cabinet members wishing to contest ELECTIONS with no exclusion of the Deputy Governor should equally & unanimously enjoy your lofty admonition to resign forthwith. Not one must be excluded for whatever reason, preserved or, protected by Law. While respecting their constitutional rights to contest ELECTIONS or, even show interest as the case is right now, they also must be equal & fairly treated as one.
Therefore, whatever is good for the geese is also for the gander. All members, including the Deputy Governor for this purpose cannot be more equal than another. Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa lost his constitutional rights and other INCIDENTAL rights by leaving Governance for politics, and might therefore not be taking serious by cabinet members, the least is the good people of Ondo state who already, with sincerity, perceived bias in the exercise of his personal rights to contest ELECTIONS, but conflicting other interests, and within the same cabinet. I have extensively written, asking Mr. Governor to sack anyone contesting the Guber election while governance is still ongoing. It amounts to distractions, disregard and ultimately, disrespect for the Governor. In other words, the most reasonable thing to do would be that you politely resign your appointment, and if elected, in joint ticket with Mr. Governor as the case is with Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa the Deputy Governor, resign from office. Or, face the job for which he enjoys our collective votes as Deputy Governor.
For chase of political power, they stampeded Governance in Ondo state, and posterity will judge. Hence, while you see the Yoruba axiom in the lexis,”ebiiti”, I am careful, albeit guided, and honestly courteous, conscious and without malice or, favour seeing, “atari ajanaku ti kin se eru omode”
As they all jostle, the interests of Ondo state must come first and we must unanimously push for governance not political interests. If they respect the Governor who is currently absent and on health challenges, but recuperating. Not one of the cabinet members is justified to have more quest for power than Governance. It is however their inalienable rights, but a flagrant disregard and obvious disrespect for the good people of Ondo state, and the Executive Governor who appointed them all including Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa whom by sheer providence has enjoyed the political benevolence of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Aketi,SAN.
The way to go is for all parties, including the Deputy Governor who enjoys Executive power with Mr. Governor, to slow down ambition and collectively concentrate on governance and leadership, with other cabinet members and by extension, the state Assembly member with the judiciary must cooperate to provide leadership in Ondo state.
Olasumbo Faseesin, Esq
Public Interest Advocate.
