Akeredolu years in Ondo – The Nation Newspaper

The shape of things to come in Ondo State unveiled itself at the swearing-in ceremony of Lucky Aiyedatiwa as governor of the state.

The Cocoa Conference hall including premises of the Governor’s office was packed full with supporters of Aiyedatiwa and the All Progressives Congress.

Inside the hall where the inauguration took place was tensed. There was booing of loyalists of Akeredolu whenever their names were mentioned while applause rented the air when names of those that stood by Aiyedatiwa during the impeachment saga were introduced.

Loyalists of Akeredolu wore mournful mood but it was celebration time for supporters of Aiyedatiwa.

The situation at the inauguration of Aiyedatiwa was due to the political impasse that engulfed the state after the Ondo Assembly moved to impeach Aiyedatiwa.

Some analysts said it was a sign of a division within the ranks of the ruling APC and the internal war to come in the days ahead.

Aiyedatiwa, in his inaugural speech, acknowledged that the achievements of Akeredolu in the state would be difficult to surpass.

Akeredolu became governor in 2017 against the expectation of many after he defeated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Eyitayo Jegede.

Among the several achievements of Akeredolu, he would be remembered for making bold moves to establish the Amotekun Corps and implemention of the report of Justice Ajama Panel which looked into Chieftaincy Matters in the state and submitted its report eight years ago.

The establishment of Amotekun was resisted by the federal government but Akeredolu pushed for it. The coming of the Corps has reduced insecurity in the state as well as resolved cases of herders/farmers conflict.

Akeredolu also whittled down some powers and sphere of influence of some traditional rulers in the state following implementation of the Justica Ajama panel. Many Obas were upgraded to First Class monarchs.

Among the traditional rulers elevated from grade B Monarch to grade A were Owa-Ale of Iyometa, Ikare, Akoko Northeast local government, Ajana of Afa Okeagbe, Akoko North West, Alale of Akungba, Akoko South West, Okiti of iju, Ogbolu of Ita-ogbolu, Oloba of Oba-Ile, Alara of Ilara mokin, Olujare of Ijare, Olowa of Igbara-Oke.

Others were Oluoke of Okeigbo, Maporure of Agerige, Eletikan of Etikan, Ahaba of Ajagba, Odogbo of Omiland, Larogbo of Akotogbo, Orunja of Odigbo, Halu of Ode-Aye, Orungberuwa of Erinje, the Ojomo-Luda of Ijebu-Owo, Olupele of Ipele, Elemure of Emure-Ile, Olumoru of Imoru and Olute of Ute.

Upon assumption of office, Akeredolu met a state with an IGR of N500m. He assembled a team and the IGR was increased to about N3bn.

Akeredolu rejected his predecessor’s building of mega public schools. He paid the state counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education and renovation over 1500 primary schools.

On road infrastructure, Akeredolu constructed the first fly over at the busy Ore-Lagos highway. The interchange reduced traffic congestion and accidents in the axis of the highway.

Across the state, Akeredolu was known to have constructed over 1000km of roads. The second fly over was being constructed at the Onyarubulem-Shagari/Irese along the Akure-Ibadan highway before his demise.

In his bid to enhance development at the grassroot, Akeredolu created 33 Local Council Development Area (LCDA). He signed the bill creating the LCDA into law before his demise.

To ensure adequate health care delivery system, Akeredolu canceled the free health care introducef by his predecessor and introduced the health insurance scheme tagged the Orange Health Insurance Scheme (ORANGHIS).

Akeredolu’s relationship with organised labour was cordial. He paid the seven months salary arrears inherited by his administration and was not owing workers.

Last month, he released N1bn for the payment of gratuity to teachers and local government workers who retired on 2011. Some pensioners who retired in 2012 were also paid.