Unveiling the True Reasons Behind the Recent Vote of Confidence in Governor Akeredolu – Allen Sowore, Esq.
Following the orchestrated signing of a sententious press release by 33 members of the Ondo State Executive Council, affirming confidence in Governor Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON on November 16, 2023, the underlying reasons for this abrupt action have started to surface.
Before delving into the specifics, I commend two Commissioners—Razaq Obe of Energy and Mineral Resources, and Akin Sowore of Commerce and Industry—for their abstention. Despite their absence, it takes courage and patriotism to abstain and enlighten their colleagues that the exercise was unnecessary.
In the words of Akin Sowore, “The point is that I’m not currently in the state. The vote passed by the cabinet members, in a situation like this, does not hold weight. As appointees of the Governor, we cannot express a lack of confidence in him. Anyone who lacks confidence in the governor should resign. Therefore, passing a vote of confidence, as far as I’m concerned, does not make sense. We, as members of the cabinet, do not have the authority to remove the governor.”
The primary reason behind the vote of confidence seems to divert attention from the speculation that the governor may have left the country for further medical treatment. Reliable sources suggest he was initially admitted to a hospital in Lagos—Dutchess Hospital—to stabilize his condition before departure. His wife was unable to accompany him immediately as her passport had expired. She visited the Immigration Office at Alagbaka earlier in the week to renew it.
Furthermore, the hasty passage of the vote of confidence in the Governor might also be linked to two court applications filed in the state High Court. These applications sought an order of Mandamus to compel the relevant authorities in the state to declare the governor incapacitated. Therefore, the Cabal attempted to preemptively secure the cabinet members’ support before the court ruling.
In this rush, members of the Cabal unwittingly betrayed their intentions, revealing that they no longer seek the governor’s consent or discuss their plans with him. Those close to or working closely with Akeredolu would recognize that he would never request votes of confidence from traditional, religious, or ethnic leaders, let alone the Commissioners he appointed and who serve at his behest.
All these desperate actions and maneuvers align with the circulating news that the governor has once again been flown to Germany. Yet, his aides are attempting to conceal this information. It has been 71 days since the governor’s return from a three-month medical vacation in Germany, and since then, he hasn’t set foot in Ondo state.
The concern weighing heavily on the minds of numerous innocent citizens, who bear the burden of the complete absence of governance in the state, revolves around a pressing query: How much longer must we endure this situation? A handful of individuals, solely for personal gain, are holding the entire state hostage. How much longer can the state function without a leader?
Again, for the two commissioners who stand for the state, henceforth, they shall be referred to as ” Àwon Omo Akin”
