HOW AKETI PULLED ILAJE OFF THE POLITICAL POOL OF BETHESDA IN ONDO STATE
For years, the people of Ilaje have looked up to God for great opportunities in the attainment of leadership in Ondo State. It is on record that they rallied round many of their sons and daughters in the past. It ended unsuccessful everytime. When your time hasn’t come, efforts, no matter how hard you push, would seem futile.
In 2020, Ilaje Nation had an opportunity. This time, respite came as they were considered number two. Much as there is no reward for coming second, the people of Ilaje kept hope alive in a strategic positioning of being number two for the first time in history. After all, it was the closest any of their sons or daughters had ever been to power. The joint ticket of Aketi/Datiwa received unprecedented support as Ilaje voted overwhelmingly and garnered over twenty-six thousand votes.
Aiyedatiwa became the first Deputy Governor from Ilaje and he spent three years. The law made him the first Acting Governor from Ilaje and subsequently, providence crowned him the first Governor from Ilaje. An admixture of bitter sweetness ensued. The Olugbo, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, a respected monarch sauntered to Alagbaka to bless his son first. He was the first king in Ondo state to visit Governor Aiyedatiwa. I understand his feelings. It’s like the case of losing the mother of a newborn during birth. You have got to nurture the child while you feel pained by the absence of the late mother. In fact, the best recompense to the late mother would be to care for the child very well. As much as the mischief makers made a mountain out of the molehill, the reactions to such solemn occasion had been envisaged by the elders long ago. Even diverse faiths command us to give thanks in everything. Good or bad, life continues. This is the strength of our faith. It is the emblem of hope.
Ilaje rose and stood for their son over the weekend for many reasons. They had taken stock of their investments in the past. How they have failed many times until the late Aketi angelically raised Aiyedatiwa against all odds. Ilaje people, akin to the infirmed man at the pool of Bethesda who narrated how angel would come and trouble the water but had no helper until Jesus passed through the sheep market pool in Jerusalem, have suffered more than thirty-eight years. If you count from 1976, you will understand the importance of the triumphant entry of Governor Aiyedatiwa into Ilaje land last week.
Yorubas are quite clear on their insistence on an heir especially when royalty is involved. As soon as an heir apparent is born, the frantic chase of getting a male child stops. Ilaje got what they had wanted for years and they cannot gamble any longer. Whatever is outside supporting Governor Aiyedatiwa will be selfish and unnecessarily narcissistic. How do you leave certainty for uncertainty? Is a bird at hand not worth more than millions in the bush?
Let nobody deceive you, Ilaje people are resolute on this mission to sustain what God has given to them. Beyond parochial thinking, the people of Ilaje are ready to imprint on the hearts of the people of Ondo state that their son will unite and bring development to the state. They are ready to record for themselves the true definition of good governance which is hinged on equitable redistribution of what nature has dismally distributed. They are ready to show the rest of the state through their son the altruistic management of the natural endowment of their region and other regions for the ultimate benefit of all. Ilaje has served Ondo state through its natural resources and it’s time to tap from its human resources too.
Beyond achieving personal ambition, the Ilaje people have made a loud statement with the rousing homecoming of Governor Aiyedatiwa last weekend. He broke the jinx of a prophet being without honour among his own people. Aiyedatiwa got more than enough honour among his people. They lifted him as their own trophy. Governor Aiyedatiwa is redefining governance in Ondo state and he’s grateful for the honour he has received from his people. He will never take this massive love for granted. May Ondo State continue to grow under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Sunday Olugbenga Abire is Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor of Ondo
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