What Akeredolu Is Not Doing Right

By Tugbiyele

“We will beat Akeredolu. Aketi will be defeated in APC Primary! He worked but he did not reconcile with the party…” These were common words amongst vociferous and numerous aspirants of APC.

The primary election conducted on July 20th 2020, shows clearly that Ondo APC differs largely with the above postulated hypothesis. Testing it turned out to be a null hypothesis!

ONDO election is coming up on the 10th October, 2020. As Parties are preparing for the election, citizens are likewise preparing. It is not unusual that members of political parties started their preparation towards winning the election. The Primary election has come and gone.

The Political leaders and supporters had spoken clearly.

As someone, who cannot speak for the party but fully integrated into the streets and have the ears of the masses, I have some competence to appraise the performance of the government as it concerns what the public feel about the administration. No doubt many believe the governor has done well, however there many other who think he needs adjustment in some areas and in his styles where possible.

Let me first commend Mr. Governor for the appreciable leap in the finance of the state which has brought stability to the financial health of the state. The increase in the Internal Generated Revenue in Ondo State is impressive. Ondo is among the first three states with improved IGR under Akeredolu’s watch.

The payment of salary, arrears left by previous administration is commendable too

The infrastructural development in the state is noticeable. The road projects ongoing across the 18 local government areas of the state are worthy to note. To be precise, presently about 15 different roads are ongoing, some had been completed in Akure. The quality of the roads make it outstanding. I don’t know road terminologies but the construction of drainage system on both sides of the roads. People had nicknamed these roads as Aketi’s standard.

“Sorry this Road Belongs to the Federal Government Bear with us”. These are the common road signs on most dilapidated federal road in Ondo in the past. The failed or failing portion of the Federal road are receiving Aketi’s touch. The notorious life consuming Oke Oka road received attention.

Leaving repair and reconstruction, the uniqueness of Ore Bridge and Oke Alabojuto, stands out and Solved many age long problem.
Ore Bridge is unique, it reduces travelling time in the state. It allows movement of perishable Agricultural products within the state. Most importantly, according to monthly report from Federal Road Safety Corps, Accident rate, reduced by 75% in Ore axis, as a result of the usage of the bridge. Similarly, Hospital record from General Hospital Ore also corroborated this. Motorists also make more gains, by commuting to and fro the axis.

Oke Alabojuto, is another scaring hilly road. I can say it is one of the most dangerous road to drive in the state. The road had consumed so many lives. I once worked in the Accident and Emmergency section of State Specialist Hospital, Ikare Akoko. I received accident victims, almost on weekly basis when articulated vehicles will be descending the hilly road and ran over the market on the valley around the hilly sloppy road. Former Governor; Mimiko had to visit this area several times and stated the only solution was to relocate the market from this area. He did built a new big zonal market at Alapata area in Ikare, but traditional market women, hardly leave a market they are culturally accostomed to. The killing continues. At a time, Soldiers were invited to forcefully eject people from the market. But all effort failed. The market is beside the palace of Olukare (Oja Oba) immediately you descend the hilly road. Governor Akeredolu solved this mysterious killings by telling the people that he will bring down the mountain. “He talked and did” Behold within two years this killing hilly road becomes a dual carriage (flat) road/express way within 3 years in power. What a magic!

Let me speak for the people who believe Governor Akeredolu ought to do better based on their understanding or method of developing the state. This was my basis of constructive criticism too. The delayed or piecemeal appointments: After the appointment of the Commissioners, all other appointments were delayed. When the appointment started coming, they were coming in piece meal. Why is Akeredolu not giving out these appointments? Special Assistance and Personal Assistance, Director Generals and Board Chairmen and Members are scarce commodities. The people started visiting mountains to pray for their appointment. Hope was high and people started loosing hope and confidence. Negative narratives started flying in even blindfolding various road projects ongoing even under our very nose.

When criticism becomes very high, this result in people nursing grudges against the Governor. Some extended same to his family. Till date Mr governor had not Constituted 50% of board and parastatal, even almost four years in power! The truth of the matter, I joined in this constructive criticism, but not transferring aggression to his immediate family as few did. How do we explain non constitution of Board of TESCOM, Health Management Board. Mr Governor we do not play our local politics like this, with due respect.

Similarly, appointment going to one side of the state at the expense of another local government got to the peak that loyal supporters who which and known that this point can be used against Mr Governor had to kick and react openly. One local government got appointment far better than others. This should be corrected going forward.

Sir, Appointment can be done in batches not piecemeal. Various positions are listed and each local government, each diverse interest are attended to. Second batch, third batch…
Sir, we will be happy if this can be done in the second half.

Besides, sir your effort in provision of water in the rural areas are commendable by provision of rural water scheme and Kamomi Aketi. Sir Township water scheme need urgent attention.

Sir, we will love if you can populated your administration with young and dynamic individuals, who will be passionate about your legacy and will be willing to be part of the historical team. Young men and women are the fathers and mother’s whose children attends the beautiful schools/Hospitals you constructed. They travel more on the beautiful road you constructed. They know when the hospitals, schools roads have challenges. We need the wisdom of the elderly nevertheless but a mixture of young and old politicians/people will be a fantastic idea. We the young need on the job mentorship.

Sir, I must commend your good initiative of seaport construction. Commencement and completion of the project, is one of the critical reason your second term becomes a compulsory task for all Ondo people, APC or PDP or apolitical people. The youth have more stake in job opportunities from this project. They know your honesty, sincerity and promise keeping attributes. Seeing how you delivered this monumental infrastructure in your first term. We have no doubt, not to trust you once again. We shall have a Sea Port! Thousands of jobs, shall be created. Goods will be delivered to Ondo via the sea. Economy boom is approaching!

It is high time we started this God ordained journey. My friends, associates, market women, civil servants, women and the youth. It is Akeredolu and Akeredolu! Broom is the logo. May we move higher in life. One good term deserves another. We shall not go back to the nightmare of the past.

The shinning Sun, shall Continue to Shine.

Tugbiyele Lanre, a public affairs analyst writes from Idanre, Ondo State