Visioners for purpose-driven and success-oriented Ondo State are once again warning against imposition of candidates in any of the elective positions in the State by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, urging him to avoid collateral damage this might cause the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the coming elections.
According to them the sentiments of playing the religion and zonal card as if the two factors have consciously been part of the Ondo political system will be counter-productive. In fact, Akeredolu’s enemies and of course the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) cannot wait to see him fail since he has chosen to arrogate to himself the power of life and death as if there was no Ondo State before him.
The idea of zoning or gentleman agreements, alliances or horsetrading amongst contestants may well be understood but eliminating some of these strong and committed contenders through executive fiat and highandedness at the expense of these same people who have shown commitment, loyalty and have sacrificed a lot for the party since inception would most definitely spell doom for the party.
Representative democracy is not a matter of one man getting up that this must be this. Ondo State is a civilised place and Governor Akeredolu must not take the people for granted so that posterity will be kind to him.
It is really unbelievable that Governor Akeredolu who is a respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Nigeria Bar Association President will ask his political appointees to deliver his anointed candidates in thier Local Government or consider themselves fired. Meanwhile Mr Governor has also ordered each of them to compile names of five delegates per Ward who will vote for his anointed candidates.
Recently during a meeting with selected party members in his Owo residence, Governor was reported to have vowed to stop all developmental projects in any Local Government that failed to deliver his anointed candidates. Mr Governor truly needs to be called to order and distance himself from this tactical and treacherous style of gerrymandering and must further ostracize other inimical tendencies from our body politic in Ondo State.
The behaviors and body language of Governor Akeredolu negate all democratic principles and this should be a wake up call to all concerned stakeholders particularly the National Leadership of APC in order to save the party from heading for the rock in the next election. Ondo State must deservedly tolerate the principles of fairness, justice, and internal democracy. Ondo State is known for greatness and that should long standing virtue should not be compromised under any guise.
-Ayodele, a member of APC writes from Ondo Town, Ondo West Local Government, Ondo State. He can be reached via bayodeayodele@gmail.com
