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Like Alasoadura, will this Ilaje-born political guru have a similar unpalatable experience with Aketi in 2024?

INTRODUCTION

There is an adage in Iboland which says: Before you marry a widow, you must know the cause of her former husband’s death because it can be a recurrent cause. What this adage is trying to say is that the reason for the death of her first husband may also cause your death as a new husband, knowing earlier, you can run for your life. No doubt, Chief Olusola Alexandra Oke SAN is one of the respected political elders in Ondo state and Nigeria at large. There’s no need for a hide-and-seek game here, like Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu who has a lifetime ambition to govern Nigeria, Chief Oke has an obvious ambition to be a governor of Ondo state. He has contested severally, yet to achieve his aim in this regard. Another opportunity will present itself again for this first Ilaje-born senior Advocate of Nigeria to have another shot in the race again.

Chief Tayo Alasoadura, the immediate former Minister of Niger/Delta (state), had unpalatable experience with Aketi in the APC last primary election of Ondo Central Senatorial district. He lost to the underdog and political neophyte, Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN, who political observers would describe as on and off or epileptic politician in the state. He comes home only during election periods and vamooses when the election is over. I doubt if the Aketi and Adetimehin-backed Senatorial candidate of Ondo central for 2023, can vividly locate his street in Akure of Akure South local government without assistance. He was prefered to Chief Alasoadura because of reasons best known to Aketi and his stooges.

Considering what Senator Alasoadura has done for Aketi and what he got in return, you only have to have ungrateful hearts like these leaders to support Mr. governor of Ondo state. When Alash left PDP in the early days of ACN, he worked for the growth of the party in the state. Aketi only came towards the tail end and was nominated as governorship candidate, while other aspirants like Saka Lawal, Olu Agunloye and Aketi’s kinsman, Chief Segun Ojo rejected him (Aketi) as the choice of ACN. There was a need for a grassroots politician as Aketi’s Director-General of campaign in 2012. Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu begged Chief Tayo Alasoadura to take up the role. He accepted and worked throughout the state for Arakunrin, though he (Aketi) came third in the election. During election tribunals, he was right with Aketi till everything was decided in favour of Dr Mimiko of the labour party.

When they all participated in another governorship primary of the 2016 election of the newly metamorphosized party, APC, Aketi was announced the winner of the controversial election, the majority of the aspirants left him, and Chief Tayo Alasoadura was up and down for him until he emerged as the governor of the state. Following the abysmal performance of Aketi in his first term in office, mostly in the area of the welfare of APC politicians, the majority of them vowed to scuttle his second term bid, Alash lobbied and worked for him both in the state and Abuja (lobbied the Ondo state rep members for him), ensured Aketi had his way, the rest is now history.

OKE AND AKETI

As we know, in politics, the more you look, the less you see and the more you are confused. Chief Olusola Alexandra Oke SAN is a political juggernaut in the state. Like other great politicians, his political career has been characterized by ups and downs. He is a self-made individual, never born with a silver spoon, stopped his secondary education at a stage, eventually finished, took up teaching as his first profession, furthered his education and became a learned colleague. He was finally awarded the coveted Senior Advocate of Nigeria under President Muhamadu Buhari.

He was elected a rep member during the ill-fated transition program of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida-led junta. Since this dispensation of democracy, he was a representative of Ondo State at the NDDC board, appointed by late Dr Agagu as chairman of OSOPADEC, a board in charge of developing riverine areas, using 10% of oil derivations from federation accounts to the state in that regard. He contested the senatorial election of 2007 and won as the candidate of the party but his mandate was upturned for late Senator Hosea Ehinlawo, who was seeking a second term under the platform of PDP by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He last served as national legal adviser of PDP before he changed his party and is currently a disciple of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

Since 2012, he has been contesting for governorship of the state, the first attempt in that year as a PDP candidate was brighter and he almost won but he was betrayed by PDP controlled federal government which pitched its support for Dr Mimiko of the labour party, who was seeking a second term. He finally joined APC, just some months before the controversial primary election of 2016 in which he surprisingly came third. Following irregularities discovered in the process believed to have been orchestrated to favour Aketi, an unconfirmed report said he was encouraged to contest against Aketi in Alliance for Democracy in the general election of 2016, but he couldn’t do well because his presumed backer (Tinubu), declined logistic support for him on the election day because he (Tinubu) was pacified by APC leaders and president Buhari.

He contested the last primary election, and the entire Unity forum (majority of APC members) nominated him to contest against Aketi’s second term bid and came second. All the aggrieved APC members were begged to work for Aketi’s re-election of 2020 which made the victory resounding for Arakunrin. In the recent APC primaries in Ondo state, he (Oke) was alleged to have worked for all Mr. governor’s preferred aspirants, mostly in Ondo south e.g Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim, Donald Ojogo and co, personally begged the delegates to vote for Aketi’s anointed aspirants who are now the candidates of the party for the 2023 election. Also, Chief Oke was said to have prevailed on Dr Hope Uzodima (Oke’s client and personal friend), the executive governor of Imo state to support Mrs Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu’s Senatorial aspiration of Imo East but he (Hope) declined in die-minute which led to the wailing of Ondo state first lady.

IN CONCLUSION

If Chief Tayo Alasoadura who virtually put Aketi’s issues on his head since the inception of Arakunrin’s political career could be jettisoned for an aspirant (Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire) who is not known in the state except for his late father who was a former secretary to the state government under late Chief Ade Adefarati. Take it or leave it, Aketi betrayed this man (Alash) for the reasons best known to him (Aketi) and his lieutenants. The only offence that can be traced to Chief Tayo Alasoadura is that he contested against him in 2016, after which he had worked, spent and being spent for Aketi.

Now, you don’t need a Jewish prophet to let you know that Chief Olusola Oke SAN will contest for the 2024 governorship in the state. If several good deeds of Alasoadura for Mr. governor couldn’t convince or wash his singular perceived sin against Aketi and he was denied the Senatorial ticket for someone else (Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN) who obviously hasn’t done anything for Aketi, will Aketi support his newly found friend (Oke) 2024? Will Aketi forgive him for contesting against him in the last three consecutive governorship elections in the state? These and more are some of the questions calling for urgent answers.

Dr. Akeredolu O.N., leader, Aketi medical team, 2016, vice chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020.

One party system is not good for Nigeria, their Exodus will lead to the extinction of vibrant opposition in the upcoming political dispensation.

INTRODUCTION

After the governorship election of Ondo state in 2016, there was a crisis in the state chapter of PDP, I heard the rumour that the former governor of Ondo State. Dr Olusegun Mimiko was planning to leave the party, and I honestly advised him against such a decision through his friend, late elder Soji Bello. I projected his decision would bring a setback to his political career which was at its peak then. He (Dr Mimiko) eventually left for the Zenith labour party, he couldn’t make any headway in the new party, had the worst political experience and finally returned to PDP.

For those who know Nigeria’s political history, it won’t be surprising that all the existing political parties have common ideologies and philosophies. It’s not hard for politicians to cross the carpet and quickly feel at home in the new party. Apart from the fact that the constitution of all the three political parties was drafted by late Chief Bola Ige while he was their member at a nascent stage, the insatiable greed of all Africans is another meeting point. For history’s sake, he was among the founding fathers of PDP, migrated to ANPP when he perceived the structure had been hijacked and finally joined hands with other like-minded to Alliance for Democracy. Throughout his subsequent stay at all these parties, he formulated their rules and laws at one time or the other.

Another unifying factor is corruption. Currently, there is no saints party in the country. Both PDP, APC and the new OBI-dient movement of Labor party, in as much the parties are dominated by Nigerians, being run by Nigerians and for Nigerians, you can be assured that they are corrupt political parties. The new agitation of reasonable people is how to make Nigeria grow with its corruption. It’s obvious that corruption is our second nature in this part of the world, our efforts are to be channelled towards reducing corruption to the lowest level, mostly when the hope of eradicating it has become a mirage.

People’s Democratic Party is destined for political doom in the upcoming election of 2023. The initially rosy journey of the umbrella party by conducting fairly acceptable primaries across boards has turned sore because of the ineptitude manners of its leadership in managing post-primary election crises. On the contrary, APC which was earlier enmeshed with troubles has become more stable, settled and ready for the next political challenges. The last presidential primary election of both leading political parties, APC and PDP was full of dramas, and the emergence of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu didn’t come short of earlier predictions by political analysts.

Ordinarily, people were expecting the PDP flag bearer to be more magnanimous in victory, bringing in other formidable faction of H.E Nyeson Wike on board by nominating him as the vice-presidential candidate, to give every one of their party a sense of belonging but Alhaji Atiku Abubakar despite his wealth of political experience, chose to do otherwise, preferred Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state. This has caused a lot of avoidable issues, further cracking the walls of the party. Some of the strong members of H.E. Nyeson Wike’s group, Mr Ayodele Fayose openly professed his preference for a southerner as the next president against a northerner that his party is currently parading.

WHY NIGERIA SHOULD NOT BE A ONE-PARTY STATE

In 2007, when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was leaving power as the president of the country following his eight-year reign, he ensured PDP won the majority of the elections conducted in that fateful year, though the entire exercises were adjudged as the worst in the history of the country by all election observers. At that, he (Obasanjo) still saw reasons for the opposition in Nigerian politics by allowing the wills of the people to prevail in some states like Lagos, Imo or Abia and some states in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Since the beginning of president Buhari’s administration, one of the persistent voices against the excesses of the ruling party is Mr Ayodele Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti state. Likewise, H.E. Nyeson Wike stood in as a dependable leader of the PDP, preventing the party from becoming a bygone. He has been a great rallying force of opposition in Nigeria. Take it or leave it, he is the only politician in Nigeria with the potential of Jagaban i.e. Tinubu in making. As much as I share in their belief that another Northerner should not continue as president after two terms of the current Fulaniman that will end by May 29, 2023, they need to be careful about their decisions that could put the entire democracy in jeopardy.

Following the massive election frauds of the PDP-led federal government that foisted the continuity of its party’s governance on Nigerians, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu was the only man standing in the southwest, who wanted a political allegiance with Chief Orji Uzor Kalu who was a leader of PPA, the party that produced governors of Imo and Abia states, so to give a robust opposition voice against the ruling party then. He (Chief Kalu) declined Tinubu’s olive branch, romanced with PDP lost his lieutenants (two governors) to it and finally became a political wanderer, until recently when his political carrier was resuscitated.

On the other hand, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu grew his party, from one state to many states, merged with other parties, from the opposition, graduated to a ruling party, and paid some sacrifices and prices. Today, his age-long dream is about to be fulfilled, being the presidential candidate of APC in the upcoming general election of 2023. The political histories of both Jagaban of Borgu and Chief Orji Uzor Kalu are enough for H.E. Wike, Fayose and others to learn and use them to guide their sensitive decisions at this crucial point.

IN CONCLUSION

We all believe that Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu should be the next president, we have been working for him since the last primary election, and we will continue to work with him until his dream of changing the narratives of Nigeria for good in Africa and the entire world becomes a reality. This is politics, there are many ways to work for your preferred aspirants or candidates, opposition figures don’t need to leave their party before they can work for the general and widely accepted aspiration of Tinubu for president. The widely circulated video of some governors like Aketi of Ondo state, Fayemi of Ekiti state and Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, being welcome to Rivers State’s government house (Brick house), Portharcourt by H.E. Wike and former Ekiti state governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has generated a lot of insinuations.

For the good of Nigeria’s democracy, the risk of PDP going to extinction if political forces like Fayose, Wike and others say goodbye to it, and the danger of a one-party system or weak opposition to our nation at large, Wike and his group should remain in PDP and work for their conviction.

Dr Akeredolu O.N., leader, Aketi medical team, 2016, vice chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee, 2020.

Why Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s presidency will bailout Aketi, Ade Adetimehin and some Ondo APC candidates from disgraceful outings come 2023.

INTRODUCTION

Apart from the aspect of security where the current governor of Ondo state can be given some credits, it’s obvious that Ondo state hasn’t experienced a bad governance since its creation like this Aketi-led government, which can be described to be the worst so far . Virtually, all aspects of the economy are bad, from education, health, politics and others. This is the first time in the history of the state that medical doctors would be resigning from Ondo state civil service to take jobs from private companies, private hospitals and organizations. The number of my noble brothers has reduced from over five hundred before the inception of Aketi’s government to the current just above a hundred. Why their profession demands selflessness and service to humanity, not payment of salaries by the Aketi-led government of Ondo state (Aketi is currently owing over five months) has made civil service a taboo for young medical doctors and other health personnel.

In the area of education, like their colleagues in civil service, they are currently being owed five months of salary arrears and two years of leave bonuses. To add salt to injury, the state government has mandated that secondary school teachers to provide master’s certificates before they can be promoted, in lieu of this, they are also given another stringent term that will cost each teacher over #160,000. The only state-owned polytechnic, Rufus Giwa polytechnic Owo, is the shadow of the old self, both teaching and non-teaching staff have not received salaries for more than a year. The increment of the school fees of the three Universities belonging to Ondo state is beyond what an average Ondo state parent can afford. With the current pitiable status of the teaching hospital of the University of medical science Ondo, in which the tertiary health institution has been deserted by doctors (consultants and registrars), none of the medical students will spend less than four years extra added to their years of graduation due foreseen accreditation problems.

The last primary elections of APC were the worst any party could conduct. The former state youth leader of APC, popularly called Olutee and one of the prominent voices of APC, Bar. Sola Ajisafe have been calling for the removal of the state chairman, Mr Ade Adetimehin, citing his ineptitude manners in handling sensitive party issues and manipulation of last APC primaries through alteration of delegates list to favour his preferred aspirants. In all truthfulness, Mr Ade Adetimehin doesn’t deserve to preside over the affairs of the ruling party in Ondo state. He lacks the needed mental, educational and emotional qualifications to chairman a major and important party like APC. He (Ade Adetimehin) was accused of buying properties in Lagos State and Ibadan, Oyo state since he has become the number one person of the broomed party in Ondo state. It’s on record that I was the first person to raise alarm over the higi haga attitudes of Mr Ade Adetimehin which are quite unbecoming for someone of his calibre.

The recent constitution of a lacklustre reconciliation committee by the state chairman to appease the aggrieved members shows that both Aketi and Ade Adetimehin have lost touch with the reality of politics on ground in the state. The eagerness with which APC stalwarts await a promised movement from the renowned human rights activist, Bar. Sola Ajisafe, tagged: #Ade Adetimehin must go# is an indication that the days of this Idanre-born politician are numbered in the affairs of the party in the sunshine state. Ordinarily, the above-stated issues are enough to make APC a bygone come 2023 but the emergence of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu as the presidential candidate of the party has altered the permutation.

WHY TINIBU WILL SAVE THE MAJORITY OF APC CANDIDATES IN ONDO STATE

Despite the misrules of Aketi as the governor of Ondo state and political rascality from Ade Adetimehin (APC state chairman), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu will win massively in Ondo state. The expectations of political watchers have gone beyond the Emilokan of Nigeria winning the state but he’s being projected to have more than 90% of the votes cast in the 2023 presidential election from the good people of Ondo state. The current wave of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu’s gospel is almost at the crescendo, an average Ondo state indigene can’t afford to have another Fulaniman as the president of the nation after two terms of president Buhari that comes to an end on May 29, 2023. All the disgruntled members of APC in Ondo state have agreed to work for the success of Jagaban of Borgu in the sunshine state.

The three Senatorial candidates of APC, Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim of Ondo south, Mr Adeniyi Adegbonmire SAN of Ondo central and Pastor Jide Ipinsagba of Ondo north may enjoy the grace of massive votes of Asiwaju’s presidency, both elections (Senatorial and presidential election), with that of the House of Representatives, will be conducted together on the same day. Considering the level of voter illiteracy in our population, our people may not able to distinguish the presidential election from the other two, subsequently voting for all other candidates of APC for Reps. and Senate.

We have some APC candidates who will win irrespective of Asiwaju’s current wave, nevertheless, his emergence has made their election a workover e.g. Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo a.k.a, BTO, representing Akoko Northeast and Northwest federal constituency, is a young brilliant politician, who has made his marks in the politics of the state and at the national level. it wasn’t a surprise to some of us, when there was nobody to compete with him during the last APC primary, he won unopposed. In the same vein, one of the youngest house of Representative members, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, a.k.a. Small Alhaji, representing Idanre/ Ifedore federal constituency, has done so well. No wonder, his opponent in the last primary, the current speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt hon. Oleyelogun managed to have 3 votes despite the support from Mr Ade Adetimehin and Aketi while Small Alhaji carried the day with over 70 votes.
Also, another brighter candidate, Hon. Abiola Makinde (Oshaprapra) from Ondo east and west federal constituency has done very well for the Ondo Egi people. The above-mentioned trio will win come 2023, considering their unprecedented performances in the green chamber as good ambassadors of their people with caring hearts. With Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu in view, the opposition party, PDP and its candidates have a lot to do, mostly for federal parliamentary elections.

IN CONCLUSION

God is the only author of life, he understands how he structures everything, Asiwaju brought Aketi to politics, spent and being spent for him in 2012, he also saved Aketi on many occasions in Arakunrin’s political carrier almost a decade, now that his ( Aketi’s) misrules have brought the party to the lowest ebb, Asiwaju’s popularity in the state is about to redeem the sinking candidates of the party. If not for Jagaban of Borgu, what hope will someone like Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim have in the upcoming election? What of the former commissioner for information? Mr Donald Ojogo, who is not loved by his people because of his unpleasant and cockish attitude. The hopes of the duo have risen because of the current wave of Asiwaju in the state.

It should be noted that awaiting victory of most APC candidates is not due to their goodwill which the majority of them lack or that of the governor (Aketi) but the love that our people have for Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu and the readiness of all and sundry to work for his (Tinubu’s) victory which indirectly brings good luck to other APC candidates in the state

Dr. Akeredolu O.N., leader, Aketi medical team 2016, vice chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee 2020