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A new phase of governance is expected to unfold in Ondo State when Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Dr Olaiyide Adelami take the oath of office and pledge to uphold laws and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their tenure will begin as soon as they are sworn in on Monday February 24, 2025.
This is in fact arising from the completion of the tenure Aiyedatiwa jointly started with the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in February 2021.
Governor Akeredolu passed away on December 27, 2023, paving the way for his deputy, Aiyedatiwa to ascend the reigns of power amidst a turbulent political situation. The initial rejection which came in the twilight of Akeredolu’s earthly sojourn made his ascendancy unique as all plots and machinations against his ambition failed.
He was lucky no doubt, many have assumed, having survived grievous onslaughts even though his traducers held him in contempt and thought of him as politically naive. His humiliation became his stepping stone to becoming Governor, first in acting capacity and then substantively.
Aiyedatiwa went ahead to present himself as the ruling party’s ticket bearer. Those who dismissed him in the face of more seasoned aspirants missed the mark and paid dearly for their presumptions. He quickly learnt the turns and twists of the dark currents of party politics of the day and arrived unscathed. Winning the APC ticket, he rode into the field of battle mustering all the paraphernalia of power both at the centre and at the margins, triumphing over and trampling his opponents in the melee.
Although his election which held on November 16 is being challenged by some opposition parties led by the Peoples Democratic Party, the administration of the oath of office and swearing in will hold nonetheless.
The opposition parties have raised dust over the conduct of the election, alleging irregularities, rigging and massive vote buying. These allegations are currently before the Ondo State Governorship Election Tribunal. The governor and his party are standing strong in defence of the election, which they described as free, fair and credible.
While we await the tribunals decision on the veracity of their claims, governance must continue in the interest of the people.
It is not just about governance, it is whether such governance will yield the required palliatives for the peoples sufferings. In the words of Narenda Modi, “Mere good governance is not enough; it has to be pro-people and pro-active. Good governance is putting people at the center of development process.”
This is the vow that the governor and his deputy will be making on Monday, Taking into consideration some of the elements of the statement of the oath of office as taken from the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(As amended), Governor Aiyedatiwa will solemnly swear or affirm to be “faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He will also swear to discharge his duties to the best of his “ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The next item of the oath is crucial. It reads: “That I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…” This fundamental objectives is captured summarily in Chapter 2, Section 14(2)b of the Constitution thus, “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Any governor who swears to uphold these principles is expected to ensure that the people’s welfare is prioritised and the safety of their lives and property guaranteed. Any President or governor who fails in these areas cannot claim to have performed.
If there is anything the people of Ondo State will be expecting from the incoming governor, it is making the state a safe place to live in besides paying salaries and pensions.
Recent developments have sent shockwaves across the towns and villages as kidnapping and herdsmen activities have resurged in a greater magnitude. Lives have been lost and fears have returned.
The state seems to be losing precious grounds to herdsmen, in spite of the achievements attained in the last few years. With the establishment of Amotekun and with the political enablement, much of the noise of herdsmen and farmers clashes had reduced and as well as cases of kidnapping. This is no longer the case as we speak.
Cases of kidnapping are being reported almost on a daily basis and herdsmen attacks are becoming deadlier by the day.
Insiders at the police headquarters admit that the battle against kidnapping will not be done with barehands, but with modern technology that would provide real time information on locations of the criminals whether in the forest or elsewhere. The issue of asking the security agencies to start combing bushes when the victims have been whisked away is outdated and could substantially put the victims at serious risk. We are in the era of drones…we are not talking about “social drones,” but high caliber drones that could monitor incidents aerially at very high altitude without being noticed.
Recent reports that the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, did not receive adequate financial allocations in the 2025 Budget, is to my mind, a setback in the fight against criminality and the provision of a secure environment in Ondo State.
Governor Aiyedatiwa will do well to take another look at the funding of security agencies in the state to ensure adequate policing and sustained peace in all its local governments.
If the welfare and security of the people is the primary responsibility of government, and the governor will be swearing to “preserve” these principles, then it will suffice to hold him accountable to these elements of the constitution when it is time to assess his performances.
Unfortunately, this section of the constitution is not justiciable, in order words, presidents and governors cannot be sued for failing to deliver on these principles, making it a mere ideal and at last a mere wishful thinking.
However, an oath should emplace the needed conviction on those who rise to the seat of governance and truly uphold these objectives. These are the real expectations of Nigerians in general and Ondo State residents in particular. And as the governor steps out to make this solemn commitment, he should remember that history is poised to record his steps actions and inactions. Meeting the expectations of the people, and fulfilling the tenets of his oath of office should drive his policies in the next four years. The people will certainly not forget those who put smiles on their faces especially in these hard times. So help him God.