TINUBU’S CABINET FORMATION: Ondo State Merits A Substantial Ministerial Position
*** Akeredolu, Adetimehin, made the landslide conquest of Tinubu across the 18 local government areas in Ondo feasible for the party
Nigerians have applauded President Tinubu on the brilliant and courageous steps taken so far in repositioning the country on the right aisle and his recent appointment of some special advisors to him as the right step in the right direction over the choice of competent hands appointed to work with him.
As a matter of public urgency and interest, it is crucial to pull taut the attention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on the need for Ondo state to be rewarded with a substantial ministerial position in his cabinet that will soon be constituted by him, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended under section 147(1)(2)(3).
Without mincing words, the best way President Tinubu can show reciprocity to the political vigour and enthusiasm that Governor Akeredolu, SAN, CON, the state party chairman Engr. Ade Adetimehin, party leaders and APC PCC for Ondo Central Senatorial District deployed during the Presidential campaign in the state that gave the President landslide conquest over the major opposition, PDP, across the entire local government areas is bestow the state a substantial ministerial position in his cabinet.
During the last administration under President Mohammadu Buhari, GCRF, Ondo is the only state in the South-West that was not given a substantial ministerial position for eight years, despite the political commitment and unwavering support for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) federal government.
During the first administration of former President Buhari from 2015 to 2019, Lagos was given three key ministries under Babatunde Fashola; Works, Power and Housing. Ogun was given Finance and Economy, Oyo was given Communications, Osun was given Health, Ekiti was given Mines and Steal but Ondo was given Niger Delta (junior ministry).
In the second administration from 2019 to 2023, Lagos was given Works and Housing, Ogun was given Mines and Steal, Oyo was given Youth and Sports, Osun was given Interior, Ekiti was given Trade and Investment and again, Labour and Employment then Niger Delta and later Transportation (all Junior ministers).
From time immemorial, Ondo state has been enjoying substantial ministerial positions and been sitting among high ranking in the comity of States at the Federal Executive Council (FEC), but it was on a downward trajectory for the state in the last eight years, which conspicuously did not place the state as the centre of political attractions from the executive arm of government.
In the 2023 presidential election, it was only Oyo state among the four States in the South West that President Tinubu won that delivered more votes to the APC with 449,884 votes, Ondo with 369,924 votes, Ogun with 341,554 and Ekiti with 201,494 votes in which the three states including Osun and Lagos relished substantial ministerial positions in the last eight years.
There is a need for President Bola Tinubu, GCRF to vastly consider Ondo state among States that will have the key ministerial role to play in his cabinet, as the state is endowed with astute politicians and both local International technocrats who are young minds that are intellectually capable and of sound minds with years of wealth of experience to drive his brilliant programmes and policies at the executive level to actualize his renewed hope mantra for Nigerians.
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON and the revered state party chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehim (Jagaban of Ondo politics) must see a need to nominate the best hand to represent the state, someone with impeccable and unquestionable character.
President Tinubu must know that the APC will replicate the winning formula adopted in the 2023 general elections in the state to win the 2024 governorship election, which the PDP, LP and SDP have alluded to and conceded defeat before the election.
Sam Olorunfemi Jr
Journalist/Political Analyst
