The people of Ondo Central Senatorial District believe its their turn to produce the next Deputy Governor. In this region, 6 Local Governments emerge. We have Ondo East, Ondo West, Akure South, Akure North, Ifedore and Idanre.
To political gladiators, the next Deputy Governor either from APC, PDP, Labour Party or any other Political Party must emerge from this region which is the central.
That power must be rotated between the 3 regions of the state i.e between Ondo North, Ondo South and Ondo Central.
Because it has become a norm over the years. But why must it be so? Engr. RAZAQ OBE, the Honouurable Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources in the state gave an insight into why the people of Ondo Central Senatorial district want the Deputy Governorship slot which they believe its their turn.
“In this country, there are norms. For instance when you hear things like presidency must be from the South, though not written in the constitution but people follow it up because it has become a norm and something that is fair”, he explained.
“In Ondo State since 1999, we have come up with that strategy without it being written down. When Governor Adebayo Adefarati who governed the state between 1999 and 2003 was from Ondo North, the Deputy Governor Afolabi Iyantan came from Ondo South. When Governor Olusegun Agagu was Governor from Ondo South, the Deputy, Omolade Oluwaberu was from the Central, Akure. When Governor Olusegun Mimiko became Governor from Ondo Central, his Deputy, Baba Alli Olanusi was from Ondo North. Then when Akeredolu became Governor from Ondo North i. e fromm Owo, his Deputy Governor came from Ondo South i.e AGBOOLA AJAYI his first Deputy then later Lucky Aiyedatiwa also from Ondo South, so that the South can complete their tenure”. He continued. “ So you can see that the norm has been on over the years. If the Governor is from the South, we expect the Deputy to be from central. If the Governor is from the North, we expect the Deputy to be from the South and if the Governor is from Ondo Central, We expect the deputy to be from the North. It’s an unwritten norm which we have been following over the years”.
For 2025, it is believed that since the present Governor is from the South, the Deputy Governor must be from Ondo Central. It’s been narrowed down to the central. Even with the sudden demise of Akeredolu, its a settlement that Owo people be compensated in order for them to complete their tenure. Hence, the settlement for Olayide Adelami who also hails from Owo, Ondo North where Akeredolu hails from”, he said.
REASONS WHY IFEDORE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE THE ONE TO BE PICKED
According to Enginner Razaq Obe, Ifedore Local Government should be the one to be picked . “Ondo West has been given as Ondo Kingdom. Akure South, the major Akure Metropolis, Akure North. Idanre and Ifedore”. He went further, “Ondo Kingdom has had Senate for twelve years, they had governor for 8 years and Minister for nearly eight years as well under former President Goodluck Jonathan. Idanre has had Deputy Governor for six years, they had Ambassadorial appointment, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) couple of times, infact more than four times. Akure North has had Senators and Ministers before. But since 1999 only Ifedore has not had any of these I mentioned”, he explained.
“Secondly, currently in Government, Akure South has Senate from Ondo Central, they have the Executive Director, Corporate Services NDDC right now, And they have Minister for State for Youth right now. Idanre has Chairman of NNPC right now. They have the party Chairman and member of House of Representatives right now. Ondo Kingdom has house of representatives right now . Infact when Akeredolu was Governor, they had Ministers and Senators from there. And so only Akure North and Ifedore do not have these appointments and positions. And only Ifedore Local Government has never had it. The marginalisation is so pronounced”, he concluded.
– FAKEYE ADERONKE
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