By Sunday Olugbenga Abire
Since 27th of December 2023 that providence made Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa the 7th civilian governor of Ondo State, I doubt whether he has satisfied a greater number of Ondo people with his decisions like he did this week. People like money, but I doubt if salaries, infrastructural development, palliatives and whatever the governor has initiated to make life meaningful for every citizen of Ondo State sweetened them like the beautiful decisions he made this week.
Even rival political parties took to the streets to praise the governor. To be modest, it seems 95 per cent of people of Ondo State experienced another Christmas in January, and the joy became contagious. Truly, making right decisions in leadership is one big blessing from God. It is as if the testament of the good things to come has been packaged for a deliberate showcase this week. Without a shadow of doubt, the people rejoiced at the pleasant surprises conjured by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
I am tempted to believe the myth that whatever a man does on Monday will determine how the week runs. As a young boy growing up in Akoko, I was sternly warned never to engage in bad habits especially on Mondays, lest I continued on that track throughout the week. Probably inflamed by the popular Fela Anikulapo’s ‘Monday Morning in Lagos,’ a creative chronicle of activities in that boisterous city, Governor Aiyedatiwa moved on a Monday morning to put his own house in order, as he engaged members of his party across the 203 wards, 18 local government areas and 33 local council development areas of the state.
Unlike Fela, Aiyedatiwa didn’t say ‘ọjọ́ Monday Ondo òní gba-gba kugba oh’ in song, but a practical and sincere attempt was made to cleanse Ondo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and purge it of accumulated bitterness of yesteryears. His message in the first ever interactive meeting was anchored on love for one another, peace within the party and progress for the people of Ondo state. Party members heaved a sigh of relief as they chanted ‘You are a leader,’ being a direct acceptance of the soothing message of hope that Governor Aiyedatiwa had passed to them at the Dome.
His ‘look well’ charge to members of the party was as timely as his ‘no vacancy’ morale booster. The APC is like a child crossing the road and a responsible father would charge the child to look well, lest he’s consumed by a drunk truck driver. But before mischief is further made out of his ‘no vacancy’ morale booster, we should ask if there is any APC member who wouldn’t want this great party to continue to lead in Ondo State beyond 2025. The governor like a true General, has surged our collective morale and the import of that is that the party must not fail under his leadership. I join Governor Aiyedatiwa to say there will be no vacancy in Alagbaka. Ondo State cannot afford to witness retrogression. The state must continue to move forward. No party does it better than the APC. As a matter of fact, whoever doesn’t like this ‘no vacancy’ prophecy has no business in the APC. We can start marking their faces lest they infest the unsuspecting members of the APC.
In a related development, the governor met with the top echelon of the state’s civil service at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Alagbaka. Aiyedatiwa didn’t mince words as he told them how invaluable, effective and efficient civil service is to the success of his administration. To motivate workers for optimum performance, the governor approved the payment of January 2017 salary arrears and ordered the continuation of palliative transport for public servants.
Hear Aiyedatiwa verbatim, “It is my belief that no administration can fly higher than the delivery capacity and capability of its bureaucracy. Hence, the welfare of the bureaucrats is placed in the front burner of this administration and we will continue to prioritize the well-being of public servants.”
In the week, Governor Aiyedatiwa dissolved the State Executive Council, relieved Senior Special Advisers, Special Advisers and Assistants of their duties. Thanking them for serving the state and wishing them greatness in their future endeavors, it is an established opinion from the people of Ondo State that this decision, made in good faith, will promote inclusivity while engendering right attitudes in the overall interest of the state. However, Aiyedatiwa has appointed a deputy governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, who has been screened by the Ondo State House of Assembly. Likewise, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi and Mr Abayomi Olasanya have been appointed as Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Protocol respectively.
While a delegation of party faithful from Ondo West, led by Hon. Abiola Makinde, member, House of Representatives, visited the governor and pledged total support for him, the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ondo State chapter, led by its chairman, Rev. Anselm Ologunwa, passed a vote of confidence on Aiyedatiwa for starting well. In the same manner, the Amapetu of Mahin led other traditional rulers in Ilaje to commiserate with the governor on the passing of his late boss. They passionately offered prayers to God for their son who is now the governor to surpass expectations.
In a carnival-like manner, able youths under the name, Aiyedatiwa Youths and Students Support Group, AYSSG, surrounded the Governor’s Office in large numbers, pledging their unwavering commitment as they charge the governor to run in 2024.
•Abire is Special Assistant on New Media to the governor of Ondo State
