The Director-General of Opomulero Group/Movement, Hon. Olasupo Olakunori Michael, has taken exception to the recent statement by Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana, former Special Adviser to the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Gender Matters, titled “Ondo: The Triangle of Continuity.”

Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana, in her intervention, recalled the late Governor Akeredolu’s position that wherever he stopped, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa would continue. While acknowledging the late Governor’s commitment to continuity in governance, the DG Opomulero said such a statement should not be stretched into a predetermined political succession arrangement for 2028.

According to him, continuity in governance is not the same thing as continuity of one individual, one political camp or one senatorial district.

“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has a constitutional mandate to govern Ondo State. If he completes his two terms, he will have served the maximum eight years allowed by the Constitution. That eight-year journey must be respected.

“After Aiyedatiwa’s eight years, the question of succession must return to the broader principle of equity, balance and the rotational understanding that has shaped political expectations in Ondo State.

“The argument that continuity automatically means that a particular person or political camp must succeed Aiyedatiwa is unacceptable. The people of Ondo State, not an individual declaration, will ultimately determine who succeeds the Governor.”

Hon. Olakunori noted that the political history of the state clearly demonstrates movement of power among the three senatorial districts.

“After the Southern Senatorial District under Governor Olusegun Agagu, the Central produced Governor Olusegun Mimiko, while the Northern Senatorial District produced Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Today, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa from the South is occupying the position.

“If Aiyedatiwa completes eight years, it is only fair that the Central Senatorial District, particularly Akure, should have a legitimate and strong claim to consideration. That is the part of the argument Chief Mrs. Olamide Falana overlooks.”

The DG stressed that nobody should manipulate the concept of continuity to erase the principle of political rotation.

“There is nothing wrong with continuity of good governance. Every serious government should sustain projects and policies that benefit the people. But continuity of government programmes is completely different from predetermining the identity or political zone of the next Governor.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa should be allowed to concentrate on governing Ondo State, completing ongoing projects, improving infrastructure, strengthening healthcare and education, attracting investment and delivering the dividends of democracy to all parts of the state.

“Those already positioning themselves for 2028 should understand that political ambition does not cancel the principle of fairness.”

On the growing conversation around Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the DG Opomulero said he had nothing personal against the Minister but insisted that BTO, like every other aspirant, must respect the political realities and rotational understanding of Ondo State.

“We have nothing against Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo personally. He is an Ondo son and has every right to aspire to any political office. But nobody should present his aspiration as though it is an automatic entitlement to succeed Governor Aiyedatiwa.

“BTO is from the Northern Senatorial District. If Governor Aiyedatiwa, from the South, completes eight years, the Central and Akure will naturally and legitimately demand consideration. That is the reality of political balancing in Ondo State.

“BTO must therefore respect the rotational understanding of the state. Nobody should attempt to jump over the political expectations of other zones simply because he has the resources, visibility or political machinery to campaign early.”

Hon. Olakunori further warned against turning the late Governor Akeredolu’s words on continuity into a political prophecy.

“Let us respect the memory of the late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. His statement about Aiyedatiwa continuing his work was about continuity in governance at that particular time. It should not be rewritten today as a prophecy that a particular person must succeed Aiyedatiwa in 2028.

“Political succession is determined by the people, democratic processes, competence, equity and the prevailing political understanding of the state.

“Aiyedatiwa first. Ondo State next. Succession thereafter.

“We will not allow premature succession politics to distract a sitting Governor from delivering on his mandate.

“After eight years of Aiyedatiwa, Akure/Central must be given its rightful place in the conversation. That is not a demand for automatic entitlement; it is a demand for fairness and balance.

“Ultimately, Ondo State belongs to all of us. No senatorial district has a permanent right to determine who succeeds another. The next Governor must emerge through a process that respects equity, competence, democratic choice and the collective interest of the people.”

Hon. Olasupo Olakunori Michael
DG, Opomulero Group/Movement