—Issues 14-day ultimatum over perceived tyranny, marginalisation of Ondo South
The Ondo South Advancement and Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) has raised the alarm over what it described as poor governance, rising insecurity, and perceived marginalisation of the Ondo South Senatorial District under the administration of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Governor and signed by the President of the association, Ade-Aworetan Oluwajuwon Adejare, and General Secretary, Otunba Oyawale Isaiah, OSAWA called on Aiyedatiwa to immediately reposition his administration to reflect equitable development and embrace open governance.
The group also accused some of the Governor’s appointees of behaving like “tyrants” and denting the image of the state, particularly Ondo South, with their actions in office. The petitioners gave the Governor a 14-day ultimatum to compel the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Mr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Wunmi Isaac, to publicly apologise or risk a demand for their immediate removal.
According to the letter, “We can’t close our eyes to some elements and selfish characters soiling the name of our senatorial district…with greed, underdevelopment pathway, one-sided focus, tyrant approach in public office.”
The association further alleged that many of these government appointees, though not from Ondo South, have resolved to mar the image of the district and the administration through their undemocratic actions.
The body, which counts Governor Aiyedatiwa as a patron, stated that the time had come to speak up as it had become “difficult to watch a lot of things go wrong and pretend that all is well.”
OSAWA expressed disappointment in the slow pace of infrastructural development in Ondo South since Aiyedatiwa assumed office, noting that no new major projects had been initiated in the district in the past 15 months.
They, however, commended the continuation of projects inherited from the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, especially in the other two senatorial districts.
Making a passionate appeal for accelerated development in the riverine areas of the state, OSAWA referenced the infrastructural legacy of former Governor Dr Olusegun Agagu, whose efforts in opening up the Igbokoda and Ilaje axis they described as unmatched.
Demands and Allegations
Among the key demands presented in the letter were:
1. Improved Security Coordination – The group decried the state of insecurity across Ondo, calling for visible deployment of security votes and stronger synergy among security agencies.
2. Infrastructural Development – It asked the Governor to initiate new projects, especially in Ondo South, lamenting a lack of developmental footprint in the zone under the current administration.
3. Education Sector Revamp – OSAWA called for fair distribution of subventions and infrastructure in public schools, while urging the government to prioritise teachers’ welfare.
4. Encouragement of Constructive Criticism – The association accused the government of clamping down on dissenting voices and urged the Governor to allow open feedback.
5. Tyrannical Appointees – The letter singled out Ajulo and Isaac for allegedly stifling dissent and undermining public trust, threatening to mobilise for their removal if no apology is issued within two weeks.
6. Appointee Accountability – It described the growing influence of some appointees as an embarrassment, alleging they bypass the Governor and act like they are above him.
7. Protection of Media and Youth Voices – The association criticised the misuse of security and judicial institutions to silence critics, particularly young people and journalists.
The association added that “some appointees are claiming to be higher than the Governor who appointed them,” warning that such tendencies must be curbed immediately.
They advised the Governor to organise proper governance training for all senior appointees to restore order and professionalism in public administration.
Final Warning
The group warned that failure to address the issues raised would compel OSAWA to take further steps in the interest of the people of Ondo South and the state at large.
“This letter will be set as record and evidence for us in OSAWA to know the next line of action,” the statement concluded.
Governor Aiyedatiwa has yet to respond to the letter at the time of filing this report.
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