The Demise of Akeredolu: Big Lessons for Greedy, Calous, Ambitious Politicians by Taiwo Olapade

The news of the death of the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu came to many Nigerians with rude shock. The Governor you will recall few days ago returned to Germany for continuation of treatment after weeks of political power play over official handing over of power to the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The unnwarranted political logjam for months left a vacum in the governance of the state until President Tinubu intervened in the matter. The outcome of the intervention by the President though left many asking questions but the fact which is not in doubt was that it signaled the way forward for Ondo State.

Reason i said that the news of the death of the Governor popularly called Aketi was received by many with rude shock is because some government officials in the state had continously told Nigerians that His Excellency was recovery very fast and would soon return to the Government House in Akure.

On several occasion, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju during Interviews categorically insisted that there was no vacum at the Government House while the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji was leading his colleagues to sanction the Deputy Governor on trumped-up charges.

While the late Governor was recuperating at his private residence in Ibadan, news filtered in that some cabals in the corridor of power who strongly opposed the handing over of power to the Deputy Governor were forging Akeredolu’s signatures to loot the treasury. The Commissioner for Information and Orientation was quick to deny it.

The big question for our greedy, callous, self centred, arrogant, power drunk, clueless and over ambitious Politicians is who is like God? This question is inevitable under this scenario because it was coaster clear that some members of the state Executive and House of Assembly behaved more like they have the power to determine what happens next in Ondo State.

It is a big lesson for other Politicians who currently see themselves as Alpha and Omega in deciding who gets what and the sharing of the commonwealth among their allies.

During the sudden demise of late President, Umar Yar’Adua, Governor Akeredolu then as the NBA President played a prominent role along with other courageous lawyers and Human Rights activists in ensuring that the Vice President at the time, Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as the substantive President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It then beats the imagination of many Nigerians that the same person who fought for the Rule of Law way back, refused to do the needful in his own case.

There is no doubt that the cabals held the Governor and the state to ransom during the period the drama lasted.

Governor Akeredolu became the third governor in the country to die while in office after the former Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa and Mamman Ali of Yobe State.

Akeredolu died at the age of 67 after a protracted illness.

The constitution is unambiguous on what should be done when a sitting governor dies in office to avoid vacum and ensure a smooth transition of power.

With the declaration of the death of the governor, his deputy automatically assumes the role of the governor as required by the law.

The state government will officially announce the governor’s death and declare a period of mourning. During this time, flags are flown at half-mast, and government activities may be adjusted or postponed for a while.

This provision is in line with Section 191(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, as amended.

The constitution states: “The Deputy Governor of a State shall hold the office of Governor of the State if the office of Governor becomes vacant because of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity, or removal of the governor from office for any other reason by sections 188 or 189 of this constitution.”

The deputy governor will have to complete the remaining term of his deceased boss, in which case he may decide to contest the next election or hand over power to whoever emerges as the winner after the election.

It is a new dawn in Ondo state under His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. He requires full support and cooperation of all to continue the struggle where his boss, Aketi left it. Do we have any among our Politicians who is like God?