From Impeachment To Mounting The Seat Of Power: How Aiyedatiwa Succeeded
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s rise to power can be described as a bittersweet experience mixed with political intrigues and uncertain powerplay.
To become the Deputy Governor, the then Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, had to be dropped by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu during the 2020 governorship election. From there, Aiyedatiwa ran with Akeredolu and they won and started piloting the affairs of Ondo State together until the Governor’s sickness set in.
Meanwhile, the death of Akeredolu on Wednesday opened a new chapter in Ondo State. The new phase kicked off following the inauguration of Acting Governor Aiyedatiwa as the new Governor. This development came after months of political crisis with the move to impeach Aiyedatiwa- then Deputy Governor- topping the agenda of Akeredolu’s camp.
Aiyedatiwa and his loyalists fought it with all within their powers until the intervention of President Bola Tinubu laid the matter to rest. Tinubu further directed the ailing Governor Akeredolu to transfer power to Aiyedatiwa as he planned to proceed for further treatment. Weeks after doing so, Akeredolu passed away paving way for Aiyedatiwa to assume power as the Governor of the Sunshine State.
That means that he became Governor after surviving impeachment as Deputy Governor. If he was impeached, then he would not have ever become the Governor after his principal’s death.
Aiyedatiwa who has one of his names as ”Lucky” really proved to be lucky. He was sworn in by the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, a few hours after the demise of Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu.
Akeredolu died in his sleep in the early house of yesterday at a German hospital, where he was undergoing treatment. He died 14 days after transmitting a letter to House of Assembly Speaker Olamide Oladiji, ceding power to his deputy, to commence his second medical vacation.
Aiyedatiwa’s swearing-in was brief. It took place at the Council Chambers of the Alagbaka Government House in Akure, the state capital. It was witnessed by the speaker, chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Ade Adetimehin, and members of the State Executive Council.
A crowd of supporters at the venue clapped, shouted and jeered at some of the government officials loyal to Akeredolu as they were introduced during the event.
Exercising his authority as the Governor immediately after being sworn in, Aiyedatiwa made five appointments shortly after he moved into the Governor’s Office.
The people he gave appointments to include Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan (Chief Press Secretary), Mr. Smart Omodunbi Jnr (Special Assistant on Political Matters), Mr. Abire Sunday Olugbenga (Special Assistant, New Media), Miss Motunrayo Oyedele (Special Assistant, Photography) and Dr. Temitayo Iperepolu Special Assistant (Domestic and Government House).
So, his story is that of a man who move from surviving impeachment as a Deputy Governor to becoming the substantive Governor in a space of two months. Lucky is simply lucky.
