In a shocking turn of events, Dr. Akeredolu Oluwafemi Nehemiah, a member of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board and an aide to the incumbent Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has openly slammed the calls for the governor’s re-election.
Citizen Rapporteur understands that he described these calls as ones for a “third term agenda,” thereby igniting a fierce debate in political circles in Ondo State’s political landscape.
In a statement shared with journalists on Tuesday, Dr. Akeredolu, popularly known as Dr. Akeredolu O.N, articulated his concerns, declaring, “Those proposing a second term for Governor Aiyedatiwa are anti-people.” He clarified that the notion of re-electing Aiyedatiwa, who became governor following the death of Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is akin to advocating for a third term, a concept he categorically rejects.
Dr. Akeredolu pointed out that Aiyedatiwa has already spent “six months as acting governor, followed by one year and two months as a substantive governor, and is currently serving another four-year term”, saying that,”If he is there for service, he has no moral ground to hope for additional years,” warning that such ambitions would constitute “an act of ingratitude to God.”
Alluding to a familiar fable, Dr. Akeredolu warned the governor against overreaching in political aspirations, emphasising the importance of adhering to the natural rotation of leadership within Ondo State. He urged Aiyedatiwa to respect this tradition, stating, “Mr Governor should honour the natural rotation,” which has historically favoured a change in leadership based on senatorial districts.
According to him, “The current governor of Ondo State has been favoured by God. My earnest appeal to him is not to overstretch his luck, in accordance with his name. His life story reminds me of a popular mythology from my childhood, one of the reigning fables at that time. It was about a man who was very poor and contemplating suicide but decided to try his last luck by engaging in fishing, being a professional in that regard.
“The pendulum swung in his favour; unlike his previously failed attempts, he finally caught a fish after toiling for several hours. To his surprise, the fish began begging for mercy, speaking like a human being. Being a benevolent man, he decided to let the mysterious fish off the hook and back into the river. To compensate for this good gesture, he was told to always come and ask for anything he wished from the goddess of the river, who decided to reward him for having passed the rare test of life.
“As expected, the poor man became rich and was made king, as he had requested from the mermaid spirit. Basking in the newfound taste of life, he married a new wife and noticed that night-time was too short to enjoy the beautiful damsel. He decided to ask for the power to control time and seasons from the usual source, but he encountered something different this time; the goddess was very angry that this former poor man who had turned wealthy could ever conceive such an idea of being like God, to whom such power is exclusively reserved.
“As a result of this singular act, he was demoted to his previous pitiable situation. Although the story is unrealistic by all standards, it carries a moral lesson: we should be careful at the peak of life and know when to stop in our unbridled aspirations.
“Returning to Ondo State, there is no doubt that God has shown uncommon mercy to our current governor, which he never deserved by all standards. He entered politics after previously failing as a House of Representatives candidate and lost to H.E. Agboola Ajayi in the deputy governorship bid of the APC in 2016, which ushered in Akeredolu as the then governor.
“The Arakunrin decided to compensate him with a senatorial ticket in 2019, but he lost it to Pastor Yele Omoguwa, who was going to the red chamber for a second term. Finally, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa received his first political appointment when he was nominated by the same Akeredolu as Ondo State representative in NDDC, but he was sent back home after nine months when the entire board was dissolved.
The late Governor Akeredolu openly stated that he advised him to change his name from Lucky to Orimisan, due to his unfavourable political trajectory.
“As God would have it, a crisis arose between Akeredolu and his erstwhile deputy, leading to the latter’s defection to the opposition party to challenge his boss, and Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa was considered as a replacement. To cut a long story short, the eventuality occurred as predicted by Akeredolu’s wife, and Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa became a substantive governor.
“This era was preceded by a political crisis that put some of us at risk of assassination, given the obvious role I played in ensuring that the rule of law prevailed, which the current governor is a beneficiary of. He has another mandate of four years for his second term, as stated by the Nigerian constitution. It is now a popular rumour that some people loyal to the governor are pushing for his third term in office.
“I want to appeal to the governor to be cautious of such an idea, as the originators do not truly care for him but know they would benefit from it, either way. The governor should honour the natural rotation, which has followed this sequence: Chief Adebayo Adefarati, from the Ondo North senatorial district between 1999 and 2003; then Dr. Olusegun Agagu, from the Ondo South senatorial district, between 2003 and 2009; Dr. Mimiko, from the Ondo Central senatorial district, from 2009 to 2016; and then Mr. Akeredolu Oluwarotimi SAN, from the Ondo North senatorial district.
“Currently, the pendulum is at the Ondo South senatorial district, where Governor Aiyedatiwa is spending his second term, and the Akure people of the Ondo Central senatorial district should produce the next governor in 2028/2029”, the outspoken Akeredolu stated
As the political situation in Ondo continues to evolve, the implications of Dr. Akeredolu’s statement remain to be seen. Will Governor Aiyedatiwa heed the warnings of his own board member, or will he pursue a contentious norm and controversial analysis by his own Aide? The eyes of Ondo State are undoubtedly fixed on the developments ahead.
