…Says Aiyedatiwa’s exit should not end South’s political turn
A son of Ondo State and indigene of Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area, Dr. Adekunle Akindele, has called for the continuation of the political rotation arrangement in Ondo State, insisting that Ondo South should be allowed to complete its eight-year political cycle before power moves to another senatorial district.
Akindele, in a statement on the 2028 governorship succession, said the call was based on fairness, equity and consistency and was not targeted at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa or intended as a criticism of his administration.
He said:
“As a son of Ondo State, particularly from Ilutitun in Okitipupa Local Government Area, and someone who has remained deeply rooted in the political development of our state, I believe the conversation about 2028 must be approached from the standpoint of fairness, equity and consistency.
“My position is that Ondo South should be allowed to complete the eight-year political cycle allocated to the senatorial district before power moves to another zone.
“This argument is not about Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s eligibility nor is it a criticism of his administration. By constitutional limitation, he cannot seek another term, and that reality makes the question of what happens to the South’s remaining four-year political opportunity even more important.
“This call is therefore not targeted at Governor Aiyedatiwa or intended as a judgement on his administration. It is about the political future of Ondo South as a district.”
Akindele argued that although zoning was not a constitutional provision, it had remained a significant political convention in Ondo State, designed to promote equity and a sense of belonging among the three senatorial districts.
He said:
“The political understanding in Ondo State has historically revolved around rotation among the three senatorial districts. While zoning is not a constitutional provision, it remains a significant political convention designed to promote equity and a sense of belonging among the three regions.
“Once a senatorial district takes its turn, the political opportunity should not be regarded as belonging permanently to the individual who emerges from that district. It belongs to the district.
“Therefore, the fact that the incumbent Governor from Ondo South cannot contest again should not automatically bring the South’s political cycle to an end. Rather, the South should produce another candidate who can carry the baton and complete the remaining four years before power moves to another senatorial district.
“Respecting rotation, however, does not mean sacrificing competence. The South must be prepared to produce a candidate with the competence, character, capacity and broad acceptability required to govern Ondo State effectively.”
The Ilutitun-born politician described the distinction between an individual’s tenure and a senatorial district’s political turn as fundamental to the debate.
According to him:
“This distinction is fundamental. Political rotation should be about the continuity of a zone’s turn, not the continuity of an individual politician.
“If, for whatever reason, an incumbent is unable or ineligible to continue, the logical solution is to find another capable son or daughter of the same senatorial district to continue the cycle.
“That is no different from a relay race where the baton may change hands, but the lane remains the same until the designated distance is completed.
“It would therefore be unfair to argue that because one individual has completed four years, the entire senatorial district has completed its turn. The South’s political opportunity should be measured by the agreed cycle, not by the tenure or performance of one person.
“Indeed, I believe all sons and daughters of Ondo South, including Governor Aiyedatiwa himself, should begin to advocate for this principle, irrespective of their individual political ambitions or affiliations.”
Akindele further argued that completing the political cycle would help sustain political trust among the three senatorial districts.
He stated:
“As an indigene of Ondo South, I am convinced that this principle is also important for sustaining political trust across the state. Ondo North, Ondo Central and Ondo South must all have confidence that when their turn comes, it will be respected in its entirety.
“Let every zone have its turn, and let every zone complete its turn. When the South’s eight years are completed, power can move to another senatorial district without rancour, resentment or a sense of injustice.
“This is not a demand for permanent political control by the South; it is a demand for consistency in the application of the principle of rotation.”
He also called for the issue to transcend political party lines, noting that politicians across party divides from Ondo South could collectively advocate the principle.
According to him:
“This call should also transcend political party lines. It should be an issue that APC, PDP, ADC and other political parties and their members from Ondo South can collectively advocate, even where they disagree on other political matters.
“No senatorial district in Ondo State can single-handedly win a governorship election. Ondo North cannot do it alone, neither can Ondo Central or Ondo South.
“Every successful governorship election requires cooperation across the three districts, and Ondo South has consistently been known to contribute substantial votes to electoral victories in the state.”
Akindele therefore urged stakeholders to approach the 2028 political conversation from the standpoint of the larger principle of fairness and equity.
He said:
“Therefore, as we approach 2028, I believe the people of Ondo State should consider the larger principle at stake.
“Governor Aiyedatiwa’s inability to seek another term should not be interpreted as the end of Ondo South’s political opportunity. The South should complete its eight-year cycle with another Southerner.
“Who that person will be would definitely be determined through a democratic process and ultimately by the electorate.
“The important thing is that the baton remains with Ondo South for the remaining four years, after which power can rotate to another zone.
“This is not about an individual, a party or an administration, and certainly not an attack on Governor Aiyedatiwa. It is about fairness, political equity and keeping faith with the understanding that every part of Ondo State deserves not merely a turn, but a complete turn.”
The statement was signed by Dr. Adekunle Akindele, Ward 2, Ilutitun Osooro, Okitipupa Constituency 1.
