By Kennedy Ikantu Peretei.
Ordinarily, it is not my business with what Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa does with his All Progressives Congress, APC, having exited the party after my brief sojourn there. However, as a stakeholder in the Ondo State Project, it is impossible to keep quiet when the Governor begins to do things that can precipitate crisis in communities that have lived harmoniously together with shared understanding and cooperation.
In the last few days, the rumour mills are awash with the plan of Mr. Governor to impose Hon. Oluwatoyin Allen, the outgoing member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Ese-Odo Constituency in 2027, against the rotation of this position between Arogbo-Ijo and their Apoi brothers. This arrangement was put in place by political, religious and traditional leaders of Ese-Odo since 1997 that the Local Government was created. An arrangement that was a product of heated arguments and horse trading but was agreed to by all concerned for peace, equity and stability.
Since 1999, the only position that has kept the fidelity of the rotation is the Ondo State House of Assembly unlike the Local Government Chairmanship that depends on the tenure of Governors and their preferences.
There are other State Constituencies that have adopted this model of rotation for the sake of peace. Like Ileoluji/Okeigbo which has rotated between Okeigbo and Ileoluji despite the fact that Okeigbo has only 4 Wards while Ileoluji has 6 Wards.
For the purposes of emphasis, it is important to reiterate that, the rotation arrangement is respected by all political parties in the Local Government. Of the more than twenty aspirants jostling to replace Hon. Allen in 2027, all are from the Arogbo-Ijo axis, across all political divide. It is therefore, unthinkable how, the Governor arrived at his decision to give Allen a second term. I am sure, Allen himself can never contemplate this, because that will set him against powers that he will battle with politically for life, if he makes himself a pawn in this Aiyedatiwa’s political chess game. And for those selling the idea of a second term for Allen to the Governor, they will have their date with Ignominy, like Judas Iscariot did.
When Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa as Deputy Governor fought the battle for survival, the available information in the public space was that, of the 26-member, Ondo State House Assembly, he had only one person. And that person was Toyin Allen. But through God’s Grace and the unfortunate demise of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa became Governor. If 50 politicians were to be profiled or shortlisted for the position of Governor of Ondo State from Ilaje Local Government, it is unlikely that Aiyedatiwa will make the list. Yet, since becoming Governor, he has preoccupied himself with dancing Biripo, persecuting those he classified as enemies and chasing an illusionary third term until the Courts of the land showed him a yellow card. If Aiyedatiwa thinks he wants to compensate Allen for his support with Ese-Odo Constituency seat, it is a poisoned chalice. He must rethink.
As State Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Aiyedatiwa’s trying moments, the Nigerian Police mobilsed armoured tanks to seal up our office when I led “Aketi Must Resume or Resign” protest. Even though I was accused of fighting for the wrong person, I did not need to know him, we simply fought for what was right. Throughout that period, I never met him and was not interested in meeting him. And we never met.
If God in His Mercy now grants Aiyedatiwa this golden opportunity, why does he want to use it to create division and acrimony? Why does he want to act God? He should be reminded that, “those whose palm kernels were cracked by benevolent spirits should not forget to be humble”. He should be satisfied that his ‘Luck” saw him through the darkest days, but same will not grant him the status of God. Aiyedatiwa should not act God.
Peretei is a former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ondo State.
