Three weeks after taking the oath of office as the governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa is yet to nominate a deputy governor for appointment, a development that has raised fresh political dust in the state, Daily Trust reports.
Aiyedatiwa, who took over the reign of power from his late principal, former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, following his death in office, was sworn into office by the State Chief Judge, Olusegun Odunsola, after taking the oath of allegiance on December 27, 2023.
But since then, the governor who had hit the ground running by embarking on developmental projects left behind by his boss, had not gotten round to the issue of deputy governor to assist in the day-to-day governance of the state.
Jonathan, Gaidam, Yero example
Daily Trust reports that none of the former deputy governors who took over after the death or impeachment of their principals took as long as this to appoint their deputies.
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For instance, former Kaduna State governor, Mukhtar Yero, appointed his deputy on December 28, 2012, after taking over power on December 16, 2012. On his part, Ibrahim Gaidam, former governor of Yobe State appointed his deputy two days after assuming office as governor of the state on January 27, 2009.
In the case of vice president, former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed his vice a week after he was sworn in on May 6, 2010.
Daily Trust reports that in the present case of Ondo, political pundits in the state had believed that the governor, accused of running a ‘one-man show’ in the governance of the state, was only taking his time to announce a loyalist to deputise him in the office.
Different sources, who spoke to Daily Trust, revealed that Aiyedatiwa had been under intense pressure to reshuffle the cabinet members and also name his deputy, especially as the state prepares for the November 16governorship election, an election in which he is expected to be a front runner.
One of the sources and loyalists, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said Aiyedatiwa was still taking his time to nominate a deputy amid pressure from various political quarters urging him to fast-track action.
“Truly, the governor had been under intense pressure to nominate someone to deputise him in office following the death of his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu. In fact, the agitation has reached a stage where people have begun to call out the governor on various platforms of social media.
“But I know he’s not moved by that because he has a whole lot to cover considering the gigantic projects left behind by his former boss and that had to be completed. I’m sure he too knows that he had to nominate a deputy to assist him in the office,” he said.
Amid the pressure, it was learnt on Thursday that Governor Aiyedatiwa might have been confused about where to choose his deputy from among the political zones of the state since he is also aiming to contest the governorship seat in the forthcoming election.
A close ally to the governor revealed that Aiyedatiwa, who is keeping the cards to his chest, had been ruminating on two choices for the nomination of his deputy.
Part of the choices, the ally said, is to pick a deputy from Owo – in the Northern Senatorial District – the hometown of his former boss (Akeredolu) to complete the current government which would terminate by February 2025.
“He (Aiyedatiwa) is within the choice of picking his deputy from Owo which is the Northern Senatorial District. The reason is to complete the ongoing term and four-year joint ticket of the former governor. But you know, it’s about politics. Several political interest groups have been beckoning him to pick the deputy from the central senatorial district because he would still contest the same seat and he needed support.
“There is also another issue of him picking among the members of the cabinet, especially those loyal to him while in the trenches – when the assembly was after him for an impeachment.
“So, the decision is not that easy for him. Not now that he would be contesting the governorship seat; he has to do his calculation very well.”
It was gathered that two members of the cabinet – Mr Olugbenga Ale, the Chief of Staff to former governor Akeredolu and Rasaq Obe, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources – are highly favoured if the governor would look at the direction of the cabinet in picking his deputy.
Ale is from Owo, the same town as the former governor, while Rasaq is from Ifedore in the central zone of the state and played an active role in the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as a successor to Akeredolu.
As the pressure mounts, a pressure group, the Ondo Redemption Front, has called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to urgently nominate a deputy governor for appointment so as to constitute full leadership in the governance of the state.
The group stressed that the continued absence of a deputy governor in the state was not only a dereliction of duty but a direct violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The chairman of the group, Ayodeji Ologun, in a statement on Thursday, said the constitution explicitly mandated the presence of a governor and a deputy governor for each state in the federation to ensure the smooth functioning of government.
Ologun noted that the delay raises serious questions about the commitment of Aiyedatiwa to uphold the constitutional principles that govern the country’s democratic system.
He added that the continued delay in nominating a deputy governor hampers effective governance thereby leaving the state vulnerable to potential challenges that may arise in the absence of a fully constituted leadership.
“The Ondo Redemption Front wishes to express our deep concern and disappointment over the continued delay by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, in appointing a deputy governor, 21 days after assuming office as the Executive Governor of Ondo State, following the untimely demise of former Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“The Ondo Redemption Front calls on Governor Aiyedatiwa to act swiftly in fulfilling this constitutional obligation by appointing a deputy governor without further delay. The people of Ondo State deserve a government that operates within the confines of the law and is dedicated to their welfare.
“We implore all relevant stakeholders, including the judiciary and the House of Assembly, to closely monitor and address this constitutional lapse, ensuring that the democratic principles enshrined in our constitution are upheld for the collective well-being of the people of Ondo State,” Mr Ologun said in the copy of the statement.
He stressed that the group remained committed to advocating for good governance, adherence to the rule of law and the protection of democratic values in the state and beyond.
Reacting to the call, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, denied that his boss was under any pressure to nominate a deputy governor to assist him in office.
Adeniyan, who affirmed that the governor would appoint a deputy soon, said Aiyedatiwa had been busy since the first day he took the oath of office by ensuring all the developmental projects started by the administration were completed.
“He (Aiyedatiwa) is not under any pressure to appoint a deputy governor but I know he would do that soon and when the time is ripe to do so.
“The governor is concerned about the development of the state and appointing a deputy is also important. There is no doubt about it. But I am sure those distracting with the appointment of a deputy governor are also political players who probably have interest in the seat,” he said.
No time limit for appointing deputy – Lawyers
Meanwhile, lawyers have explained that there is no time frame within which a governor can appoint a deputy, particularly when they emerge under special circumstances.
Reacting, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) said the governor has the latitude to look properly and consult widely in picking a deputy.
“Instructively, the constitution does not impose a specific time for a deputy-governor turned governor to appoint a deputy,” he said.
Similarly, Dr Reuben Atabo (SAN) said the new governor should be given the benefit of the doubt because he is believed to be a democrat who would not do anything to undermine the constitution.
He said from the circumstances surrounding the new governor, there is no indication that he wants to run the government alone as that would breach the constitution.
Similarly, Tawo Eja Tawo (SAN) said there is nothing wrong if the governor decides to take his time to appoint the right person as deputy governor.
He said Section 191 of the Nigerian Constitution only provides for a time frame of three months where both the governor and deputy are not available and the speaker has to act.
Also speaking to Daily Trust, a constitutional lawyer in Ondo State, Tope Temokun, explained that the “constitution does not mandate the deputy governor’s position regarding law. If someone is contesting for the position of the governor apart from the interest of the party, he is the one to choose his deputy.
“The constitution does not even say that this is the rule or position of the law that must be followed. So, it is not also totally different from that of the governor who had emerged as a result of the death of his boss in office.
“The constitution does not even have any position in the matter of appointing a deputy governor because this is not an election matter. If he is now contesting an election then it is something different entirely.
