In a flagrant disregard of the agreement reached with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa last week, Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Engr. Ade Adetimehin allegedly has been taking steps to drop the endorsed Vice Chairmanship candidate for Idanre Local Government Area, Hon. Bankole Akinselure.
It would be recalled that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa intervened in the push by Ondo State youths for the removal of Engr. Ade Adetimehin as Ondo State APC Chairman last week. The governor also directed that the status quo should be maintained.
Some angry youths pushed for the removal of Engr Adetimehin due to his perceived alleged high handedness, anti-party activities, corruption, greed, egoistic conducts and alleged call for military takeover of government. It has however been gathered that Adetimehin is determined to drop the name of Bankole Akinselure, due to the fact of being a son of his very close friend.
It has also been alleged that Adetimehin is uncomfortable with the choice of Bankole Akinselure as the APC Vice Chairmanship candidate in Idanre Local Government because of his known firm principle, good moral standing, and penchant for insisting on doing the right thing. It was equally gathered that Adetimehin was not leaving anything to chance in his determination to drop Bankole Akinselure due to his selfish desire to have unfettered access to the treasury of Idanre Local Government .
Adetimehin, a politician with a reputation for his ambitious nature, perceives the concession of the political ticket as an affront to his aspirations and influence. To him, the political landscape is not just a realm of governance but a battleground for power and resources. The idea that a ticket could be handed over to someone perceived as a ‘friend’s son’ threatens not only his political ambitions but also the established dynamics of resource distribution within the local government.
Bankole Akinselure, who is currently the vice chairman of the local government, has paid for his nomination, but the state chairman has decided to withhold his form because he stands as a threat to the chairman of the All Progressives Congress by questioning and monitoring the activities of the LGA, ensuring that money allocated to the local government is used judiciously and not shared among a select group of leaders in the LGA, thus acting as the eye of the people.
Moreover, the local populace has begun to voice their concerns regarding the implications of such power struggles. Many fear that if Adetimehin succeeds in his quest, it could lead to a continual concentration of resources that would benefit only a select few, rather than the community as a whole. The prospect of siphoning local government resources raises questions about transparency, accountability, and the prioritization of public welfare over personal ambition.
The governor’s decision, which stated that the status quo should remain to have Smart Omotadowa as the chairman and Bankole Akinselure as the vice chairman, was made with the intent of fostering loyalty and strengthening relationships for good governance for the people of Idanre Local Government. This has inadvertently placed Adetimehin at the center of a controversy. Critics argue that his insistence on overturning this decision is driven by a selfish desire to maintain control over local government resources, ensuring that they flow into the hands of those loyal to him.
In an environment where political loyalty often translates into financial gain, Adetimehin’s maneuvering may be perceived as an attempt to secure a pipeline of resources that could be used not just for political campaigning but also for personal enrichment after his retirement in a few months. The narrative surrounding his actions has become one of greed and self-interest, as he seeks to position himself as the key and only player in the distribution of local government funds and resources.
As the situation unfolds, it becomes increasingly evident that the battle for the Idanre LG ticket is not merely a political contest but a reflection of deeper issues within the local governance system. The struggle between Adetimehin and the governor encapsulates the challenges of balancing personal ambition with the needs of the community.
The outcome of this conflict will likely have lasting implications for the All Progressives Congress in Idanre Local Government, shaping not only the future of its leadership but also the equitable distribution of resources that directly impact the lives of its citizens.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding Adetimehin’s attempt to overturn the governor’s decision is emblematic of a broader struggle between personal ambition and public service. As the people of Idanre watch closely, there remains hope that their leaders will prioritize the welfare of the community over individual gain, fostering a political culture rooted in integrity and accountability.
Responding, a closed source to Adetimehin described the allegations as baseless, adding that there is no issue on the list from Idanre local government.
