The Diary of Governor Akeredolu’s Prolonged Absence and the Cabal’s Succession Plans
Allen Sowore, Esq.
For nearly 10 months now, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON, has been indisposed. People have shown rare empathy and support through prayers for his recovery. However, both the Governor, members of his immediate family, and the influential group known as the cabal have taken advantage of the situation, neglecting the needs of the people.
One of the persistent issues in Nigerian governance is the presence of “ghost workers” or, more plainly, absenteeism. Every governor pledges to eradicate this during their campaigns, but it’s unimaginable that a governor could be absent from duty for so long and sidestep constitutional provisions that clearly state the deputy governor should assume responsibility in such cases.
Many commentators and media outlets have inaccurately reported that Arakurin has been absent for the past three months. In reality, he has been away from duty for the past seven months and counting. Below is a chronological account of Akeredolu’s absence from duty:
On April 3rd, 2023, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON, through a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Olabode Richard, announced a 15-working-day leave. The statement mentioned that the Governor would resume on April 25, 2023.
On April 25th, instead of resuming, the Governor issued another statement postponing his resumption date to May 1, 2023, planning to make an appearance on Workers’ Day Celebration. However, this plan failed as he couldn’t attend.
On April 9, 2023, the Governor presided over a stage-managed State Executive Meeting. This was the last official duty he performed before being taken abroad for medical treatment. However, he did not officially transfer power to his deputy.
On June 7, 2023, with the state lacking leadership and members of the cabal effectively in control, he reluctantly transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, through a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladeji, stating his resumption date as July 6th. Yet, he couldn’t return as planned.
On July 10th, the Governor had to write another letter to the Speaker, extending his medical vacation abroad, this time without specifying a resumption date.
On September 7th, the Governor hastily returned to Nigeria.
On September 8th, while the people of the State were eagerly awaiting Mr. Governor to return to Akure, the capital city, and assume the full running of the government, he handed a letter to the Speaker stating that he had resumed his official duties from Ibadan, Oyo state, leaving questions unanswered.
On September 8th, the Governor dismissed all the media aides of his Deputy.
On September 20th, the State House of Assembly served an impeachment notice on the deputy governor.
On September 26th, a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process.
On October 3rd, the State House of Assembly disregarded the court order by instructing the Chief Judge to immediately form a seven-man panel to investigate the 14 allegations against the deputy governor. The Assembly also petitioned Justice Emeka Nwite to the NJC for granting the order.
On the same October 3rd, the State House of Assembly filed a notice of Appeal at the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
It has now been more than 30 days since Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON returned from Germany to Ibadan. He has not set foot in Ondo state, not addressed the people, and nobody in Ondo state has seen him.
What is more concerning and disheartening is the fact that the State House of Assembly insists on proceeding with the impeachment process, even when Mr. Governor’s whereabouts remain unknown!
Interestingly, Governor Akeredolu and the cabal’s desperate moves to remove his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, are directly linked to their grand succession plan for 2024.
Unbelievably, they initially considered nominating his son, heavily secured, as a replacement for Aiyedatiwa. The plan involved confirmation and swearing-in in the afternoon, followed by the Governor’s resignation in the evening. This plan did not gain approval from the majority of the cabal, especially since the son may not have reached the required age.
The second and current plan is to install the Commissioner for Finance as Aiyedatiwa’s immediate replacement. Akinterinwa would then run for governor in the upcoming 2024 gubernatorial election. He is deemed most suitable because he has committed to covering up all questionable deals and financial recklessness of Aketi’s regime.
Initially, the plan was to nominate the Commissioner for Education as the replacement for Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as compensation for revealing information about Aiyedatiwa during his time as Acting Governor. However, this did not gain approval from the Cabal.
The selection of the Secretary to the State Government faced a setback when she started circulating her campaign posters online. Reliable information revealed that although the Governor likes the princess from Okitipupa, he does not see her as a suitable successor. Mr. Governor views her as an elderly woman who should take a break from active politics after February 2025.
On the other hand, the cabal is misleading the leadership of the State House of Assembly, promising that once they succeed in impeaching the deputy governor, the Speaker will be nominated as the replacement for Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while the current Deputy Speaker will be promoted to Speaker. This is merely a ploy to urge the House’s leadership to promptly remove Aiyedatiwa. Now you understand the desperation behind their actions. The CPS, Adviser to the governor on Union Matters, and Member representing Owo Constituency 1 are the major drivers of the successionist agenda. The governor’s ubiquitous son is vigorously advocating to ensure that Akinterinwa is nominated as the Deputy Governor and subsequently elected as the Governor to succeed his father.
Unless urgent steps are taken by the appropriate authority, these plans, with a reckless disregard for due process and strict adherence to the rule of law, coupled with the health status of Mr. Governor, a constitutional crisis may be looming in Ondo state.
