Aiyedatiwa and His Mundane Governance: Time to Turn the Corner, By Sola Ajisafe, Esq

There is no doubt that Ondo State currently faces an existential threat arising from a lack of effective governance at all levels.

Despite huge resources, the local government is non existent as the funds are held by Mr Lucky while those put in the eighteen local governments are just timid and mere “boi-bois” too afraid and incapable of serving the interest of the people. For instance, Aiyedatiwa spends the money in Akure for them they claim, yet they grumble all over the place.

The Ondo State House of Assembly is the archtipical conclave of erand boys and political misfits. They have become too comfortable with inactivity and inaction that they are too tired and unable to fight for their own causes talk less of providing strong legislative inputs to governance in the State. They remain the weakest link to governance in Ondo State. They are a bunch of 26 school boys waiting to recievie handouts every month to keep their mouths shut.

Due to the activities of these ineffective legislators, under Mr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, governance has become pedestrian and routine‑driven. Unfortunately, excessive noise in the public sphere is drowning out voices of reason. Anytime you hear of the G12 or G16, they are displaying their Baba Suwe antics for inefficiency, incompetence and love of kobo-kobo settlements.

It is true that to assess the quality of a government, one must consider the calibre and intellectual capacity of the people behind it to the extent that, the collective output of these individuals is the true measure of its performance. A careful examination of those staffing the current administration as (dis)Honourable Commissioners or Special Advisers reveals that only a handful possess the relevant experience or intellectual depth required to launch a high‑performing government, hardly the catalyst needed for revolutionary change toward a better future.

For context, I can identify no more than five persons within the administration who demonstrate the deep‑thinking, professional savvy and substantive expertise that the State presently needs. The rest appear to be political opportunists with areaboy mentality, perennial appointment‑seekers who become “cry‑babies,” (when out of appointment) or unemployable individuals merely seeking rehabilitation.

I assert strongly, using metrics of governance and measurable performance that had been the hallmark of government and governance elsewhere or in Ondo State under Ajasin, Adefarati, Agagu, Mimiko and Aketi, that the current administration in Ondo State has, in my view, failed to justify the overwhelming mandate of “18:0” (the apparent reference to his electoral victory and the linchpin of his bragging rights) given to it by the people.

How can a State government be executing functions meant for local councils on the streets of Akure and still be presented as “performing”? How can a local government like Akoko South West received over N5billon from March to October and nothing has been done in the local government. I throw an open challenge to the Governor and the Chairman of the local government to deny this assertions.

Neighboring states are achieving remarkable results with the resources available to them, what is the governor doing with the funds and what are we doing with our opportunities? As a people, why do we suddenly become deaf and dumb to our plights? Why is everyone waiting for appointments and handouts that we have become silent to the activities of a patent incompetence and non performance. Why is no one raising issues or asking questions about the local government funds. Why are we silent or grumbling at the back, yet go to the Dome and be dancing Skelewu with Mr. Governor in the evening? Wetin do us ke?

As the saying goes, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” Governor Aiyedatiwa cannot credibly claim a lack of funds; what appears lacking are innovative ideas on how those funds are deployed. Let him seek help from his brother governors. Let him accept his limitations and seek assistance from those who know better than him. We have many Ondo State indigenes that could turn things around. Let us get another people better than Ajulo, Alabi, Osamaye ( arguably the best we have so far). We need more action than words so that the Governor’s constitutionally allotted gubernatorial term of four years does not conclude as a waste of time due to under‑performance.I urge the Governor to elevate his administration by bringing in higher‑caliber personnel (better quality hands) to improve governance standards.

Sorounding himself with people who lack the capacity to provide alternative views, challenge existing positions on governance, provoke new ideas contrary to those held by the governor or debate matters with him for the good of our State is not complementary of his future legacy. If all we have as appointees are persons who want to be in government for the fun of it or for rent seeking, political rehabilitation or political status, we are in for a long thing!

For me, Mr Governor should be more intentional about governance because his four years is ticking so fast and the basis for an extra time is non- existent or at best the door is already constitutionally closed.

Sola Ajisafe is a lawyer, journalist and farmer. He lives in Akure .