2015: Major events in Ondo

MAJOR events in Ondo state in 2015 include kidnapping of high profile indigenes, workers locking horns with government over salary arrears, defection of prominent party leaders, impeachment of the state Deputy governor and appointment of a new one, resignation of the leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio- Political group, Afenifere and installation of a new Deji of Akureland amongst other happenings.

The most celebrated kidnap in 2015 was that of the former Finance Minister and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Chief Olu Falae who was abducted by Fulani herdsmen who invaded his farm located at Ilado, Akure North area of the state. He later regained freedom after spending four days in the kidnappers den. Public outcry led to his rescue by the Police after his family paid N5m ransom to the kidnappers of which seven apprehended and have been charged to Court. Notable Yoruba leaders and leaders from other ethnic groups rose in unison to criticize the kidnap of the elder-statesman. What many people see as an abomination also took place during the year when the regent of Akungba Akoko, Princess Oluwatoyin Omosowon was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

Barely 48 hours after her abduction the kidnappers demanded for the sum of N20m as ransom to secure her release. Princes Omosowon was kidnapped with three others by unknown gunmen along Akure/Akungba-Akoko road while traveling to Akure to honour an invitation from the authorities of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.(AAUA). Interdenominational prayer session were held in churches and mosques within the community. The combined team of security operatives later rescued the regent but not after she was tortured and wounded on the head by her abductors. She said she refused to eat for the one week she was kept in captivity.

Many other personalities fell into the trap of the kidnappers and were let off the hook after their families paid through their noses although security operatives claimed ignorance of the payment of ransom by victims’ families. Also, during the year, the state deputy governor Alhaji Olanusi who defected to the opposition APC in the state barely 48hours to the last general election was impeached by the House of Assembly. Alhaji Olanusi’s case was like that of the hunter which ended up being hunted. The political calculation was that the opposition APC would win the majority of seats in the last House of Assembly election which will pave the way for the impeachment of the governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and he would automatically become the governor. But, the plan was scuttled when the party failed woefully to secure the majority of the seats in the House of Assembly. The table was turned against him as he was sent packing by members of the Assembly. The impeached Octogenarian deputy governor is still battling to take back his seat in court.

However, a new deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, has been appointed and has since been sworn in by the governor. Still on politics, some prominent politicians led by the former PDP governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke and the brother of the late former governor Dr Olusegun Agagu, Femi also defected to the APC few days to the National Assembly election. They jumped ship after the opposition APC had won the Presidential election, a situation which put them at a disadvantage. Oke, Femi Agagu and Victor Olabimtan who was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and former member of the Civil Service Commission were part of the coup against the impeachment of Mimiko hence their defection to the APC few days to the National Assembly election. The APC also won the presidential election in Ondo State contrary to the governors assurance to the former President Goodluck Jonathan that he would deliver one million votes to him from the state. Another event in the year was the sudden resignation of the leader of the Yoruba Socio political group, chief Reuben Fasoranti.

His decision jolted the Yoruba nation but to avoid further crack in the wall, prominent leaders including Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Ajayi Olanihun and others waded in and were able to persuade the octogenarian politician to withdraw his resignation letter. An emergency meeting was called and the leaders pointedly said that they rejected the resignation or better still the decision of their leader to step aside. Pa Fasoranti decision to resign was as a result of findings that showed that some members of the Afenifere group emerging have started hobnobbing with some leaders of the ruling APC who do not subscribe to his leadership of the Yoruba nation. To avoid a parallel group emerging, Pa Fasoranti was said to have opted for the resignation but he was later convinced by other leaders including the governor, Dr Mimiko, who said that the people of the state rejected his resignation letter. Traditional ruler Of interest in the year was the installation of a new traditional ruler for Akure, the state capital. Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi was installed as the new Deji of Akureland following his selection by the Akure kingmakers. The same year, a deposed and banished Oba of the town, Prince Adesina Adepoju @ “resurrected” and made a surprise street walk along the state capital. His sudden appearance heightened tension in the state capital as his supporters sold a dummy to the public that the court had ordered his return to the throne. To show that the action of the deposed Deji jolted the entire Community, notable sons and daughters of the town and the Council of Chiefs rose to condemn it describing it as “ a show of shame.” However, an appeal court sitting in Ondo state had last week struck out a suit filed by the deposed Deji challenging his dethronement by the state government. Workers in the state also locked horns with the state government over non-payment of their outstanding salary arrears . They later relaxed after government settled the arrears. But as at today two months salaries are still outstanding. The international event centre named the “Dome” and Shoprite shopping mall were commissioned in the state during the year. This year’s best of Nollywood award was hosted by the state government at the Dome.