Ondo 2024: Aiyedatiwa And The Doctrine Of Right Of First Refusal
Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa is a Lucky man by all standards. His boss, late Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, popularly known as Aketi, had predicted long before his death that Governor Aiyedatiwa is the most suitable candidate to take over from him.
In the last few months some aspirants have also come out to say that Aketi also promised them the right of occupancy to the Alagbaka Government House as his successor; but it was not known to anyone and the former governor is not known with frivolities.
Though Aketi never anticipated that death, the inevitable end of all beings would cut short his second term tenure, but the endorsement given to Aiyedatiwa during the swearing-in is enough to draw the ire of perennial governorship aspirants who were lucking in the dark to take the pound of flesh.
But like the brilliant Shakespearen Portia, whose defence shocked the Shylock who wanted a pound of flesh, Aiyedatiwa, as his name implies, was able to manoveur and beat the machinations of those who set landmines for him. Today, Aiyedatiwa is redefining the politics of the Sunshine State.
Though, it appears some aspirants have started to woo the party apparatick for the eventuall showdown at the gubernatorial primary, the doctrine of Right of First Refusal, ROFR, seems to be the best in the circumstances going by the events of past few months. Aiyedatiwa has hit the ground running and has continued to reach out to other stakeholders to cover the lost ground.
It will only be appropriate to allow Aiyedatiwa to continue. This will not only guarantee peace, it will also help the ruling All Progressives Congress to further stabilise and prepare for the gubernatorial election instead of creating a deadlock through another needless primary when the incumbent is rearing to go.
The APC national working committee won’t reopen old wounds through another round of an exercise that would further divide the Party. If there is anything, the APC ought to set up a committee of seasoned politicians across the state to unite all the aspirants around Governor Aiyedatiwa so that his election will be a fait accompli.
‘E gbe fun Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, oun lokan’. It’s his turn.
