The leadership of the Ondo State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has consistently upheld a tradition and history of opposing the choices and decisions made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is a well-known fact, and it falls within their rights as democracy upholds freedom of choice.
I would not have intervened or criticized this exercise of their rights if the party had maintained a consistent approach. However, in their recent press statement, the Ondo State APC leadership selectively endorsed certain decisions made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while rejecting others. This exposes the true motives behind these questionable endeavours.
In his wisdom, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the appointments of two distinguished individuals from Ondo State—Ifedayo Abegunde and Victor Kolade Akinjo—as the Executive Director (Corporate Services) and Ondo State Representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), respectively.
Regrettably, the Ondo State APC leadership, in a statement issued yesterday, openly challenged and disrespected the President by rejecting Kolade Akinjo’s appointment as the Ondo State representative on the NDDC board. Simultaneously, they applauded the President for appointing Ifedayo Abegunde. This inconsistency displays a fickle, double-standard, and self-serving approach.
It is unnecessary to emphasize that the composition of the NDDC board is distinct due to its unique focus on oil-producing regions within Nigeria. While President Bola Ahmed Tinubu might have considered expanding the scope within a specific context or following precedents set during Buhari’s tenure, this discussion warrants another day.
The same Ondo State APC, which seemingly had no qualms with the prior appointment of Nyesom Wike, an active member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the FCT Minister, now seeks to instructively remind the President that Hon. Kolade Akinjo was once affiliated with the PDP. True governance is founded upon magnanimity.
Furthermore, the derogatory comparison “monkey dey work, baboon dey chop” employed to subtly influence the President to reconsider his decision to appoint a capable individual who is evidently dedicated to fulfilling promises, elucidates why the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) has remained stagnant and unproductive for the past six years.
As anticipated, the Ondo State APC leadership appears to have drifted away from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision and commitment to fostering unity among Nigerians for the betterment of our nation’s trajectory.
Indeed, it is imperative to encourage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue recruiting suitably qualified Nigerians, particularly professionals from diverse fields, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, or political affiliations. Governance should transcend the concept of “winners take all”; it should revolve around service. Hon. Kolade Akinjo possesses an impressive record of accomplishment during his tenure in the House of Representatives.
Hence, it becomes imperative for all perceptive individuals, especially those within the intellectual and developmental circles, to rally behind and endorse this meticulously thought-out selection of Kolade Akinjo. To express candor, this appointment inherently serves the optimal welfare of our populace, specifically referring to the residents of the environmentally devastated Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Government Areas. We must transcend partisan affiliations and wholeheartedly embrace this forward-looking choice, especially given its direct implications on our advancement and progress.
