— Allegation unfounded, meant to sow discord–Ondo APC spokesperson

—–No supremacy battle between them

—– No comment- Opeyemi’s media aide

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The reported replacement of a nominee of Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in the 18-member board of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) by President Bola Tinubu has stirred controversy in the state.

Aides to the governor alleged that the nominee, whose name was put forward by Aiyedatiwa, was substituted by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele.

Recall that President  Bola Tinubu, last week appointed a former Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti State as the commissions chairman and Charles Akinola from Osun State as its Managing Director.

Other members of the board include Bolaji Ariyo, Joseph Olugbenga, Scholastica Omoworare, Olumuyiwa Olabimtan, Adewinle Martins, Ibrahim Olaifa, Kabiru Lakwaya, Abdul Adamu, Arinola Fagbemi, Ukoha Onyekwere, Howell Ihenacho, Olugbenga Olufehinti, Tele Ogunjobi, Funmilayo Tejuosho (Lagos), Fatai Ibikunle (Oyo), and Lateef Ajijola (Ekiti).

The two representatives from Ondo State are Adewinle Martins from Okitipupa Local Government and Olugbenga Olufehinti from Epinmi in Akoko South East Local Government.

 Olufehinti is the Executive Director nominee; and he was alleged to have been recommended by the Senate Leader.

The aides to the governor, accused the senator representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, of allegedly replacing one of the two candidates the governor nominated as SWDC board members from Ondo State with another person.

According to them “Aiyedatiwa submitted the names of Adewinle Martins from Okitipupa Local Government  and his former Commissioner for Energy, Rasak Obe, whom he chose as the SWDC Executive Director of Projects, but was shocked to find Obe’s name replaced with Olugbenga Olufehinti from Epinmi in Akoko South East Local Government.

This development, according to findings, provoked members of the aides of the governor.

Irked by this development, sources said that governor Aiyedatiwa, has since relocated with some of his supporters to Abuja to protest the removal of his candidate.

Supporters of Aiyedatiwa declared that the replacement was a disrespect to the office of the State governor.

Vanguard gathered that the three senators representing the state have remained indifferent to the strain relationship between the governor and the Senate leader.

Their lack of interest, it was learnt was as a result of the the alleged strained relationship between the governor and the three senators, Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire representing the Central, senator Jimoh lbrahim, representing Ondo South and Jide lpinsagba, representing,Ondo North.

Aiyedatiwa was alleged to be pushing for the replacement of Adegbonmire with Abiola Makinde who is presently representing Ondo West/ Ondo East in the House of Representatives.

Sources also, said that Aiyedatiwa is not favourably disposed to the return of any of the three senators and the House of Representatives members for another term.

Speaking on the alleged replacement of the nominee of the governor, a chieftain of the party in the state, said, “This is an insult to Governor Aiyedatiwa and the people of Ondo State.

“It is the exclusive right of Aiyedatiwa to nominate members from the state into this board, and Senator Bamidele has disrespected the office of Ondo State governor by removing the governor’s candidate from the list.

“Aiyedatiwa and Senator Bamidele were once political allies, but recent events, if not well managed, may turn these two political friends into foes.

“Before Aiyedatiwa emerged as the APC candidate during last year’s governorship primary election in Ondo State, Senator Bamidele played a crucial role as his benefactor, allegedly mobilizing Abuja-based APC leaders to back Aiyedatiwa.

On the relocation of the governor to Abuja, the party chieftain confirmed that the governor has since relocated to Abuja.

According to him “Yes, the governor has relocated to Abuja, but he is only roaming about here because the people who are his contacts in Abuja are the same people behind the replacement of his candidate.

“You know Bamidele was one of his major backers during the APC governorship primary despite the huge opposition against him.

“They mobilized support and ensured he emerged as the candidate of the party. Now that the same people have been alleged to be the power behind the nomination of Olufehinti, what will he do?

“Unfortunately, the governor is also fighting the three senators from his state.

“If you remember, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim contested the primary election against him and even went to court to challenge the process that produced Aiyedatiwa as the candidate before the President intervened and appealed to Ibrahim to withdraw the case from the court.

“So, who will fight for the governor when these members are being screened by the Senate?

” The worst thing is that he has planned to replace all the National Assembly members and they are aware so they are waiting for him till then. And before then, he should know that there are many battles ahead of him if he is not careful”

He said that “the governor has not been fair to some groups in the party who opposed him during the primary election, particularly supporters of his late boss, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“I think those who removed one of Aiyedatiwa’s candidates did so for fairness.

“You cannot continue to punish those who didn’t support you during the primary by sidelining them in your state and also expect to take all Abuja appointments for members of your camp.

Contacted, the media aide to the Senate leader, Gboyega Akinsanmi, declined comment on the supremacy battle between senator Opeyemi and governor Aiyedatiwa over nominee into the commission.

Akinsanmi simply said ” l have no comment” when contacted on phone.

But, the state Director, Media & Publicity of the party, Steve Otaloro, denounced the alleged conflict between the duo and affirmed the partys unity.

Otaloro, described the said conflict as “unfounded and serve only to sow discord within our party.

According to him ” Those perpetuating these rumors are nothing more than enemies of our party and rabble-rousers, seeking to create division and undermine the unity we have worked hard to foster.

He said that ” The notion of a supremacy battle between Governor Aiyedatiwa and Senator Opeyemi is entirely untrue. Both leaders are committed to the progress of our party and the development of our two states Ondo and Ekiti.

” It is essential to understand that any discussions regarding nominees to President Bola Tinubu are part of the democratic process and do not reflect any personal conflicts.

“The President has the ultimate authority to appoint individuals to positions, and our role is to support him in nominating those who have demonstrated loyalty and dedication to the party.

“While we acknowledge that some supporters of Governor Aiyedatiwa may feel that the replacement of a candidate is a sign of disrespect, we encourage everyone to recognize that political appointments are complex and involve multiple considerations.

“The governor’s office deserves respect, and we urge our supporters to focus on the bigger picture of party unity and collaboration rather than allowing emotions to dictate their responses.

“It is important to clarify that the three Senators from Ondo State are not indifferent to the relationship between Governor Aiyedatiwa and Senator Opeyemi. They are actively engaged in fostering collaboration and ensuring that the interests of Ondo State are prioritized. Any perceived indifference is a misinterpretation of their commitment to the party and the state.

 On the relocation of the governor to Abuja, Otaloro said ” the Governor, like any other leader, is entitled to meet with national leaders to discuss matters affecting our state and party. Such engagements are part of his responsibilities as a governor and should not be misconstrued as a sign of discontent or conflict.

He therefore urged “all members of the APC and the people of Ondo State to remain focused on our shared goals and to reject any divisive narratives.

Otaloro said that “Together, we stand united under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa and in support of President Bola Tinubu’s vision for our great nation. Let us work collectively for the progress and development of Ondo State.