It had all the trappings of a tug of war in Akure, Ondo State Capital yesterday as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) locked in serious battle to win Governor Olusegun Mimiko over to their side. Mimiko and his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi was sworn-in as the executive governor and deputy governor of the state for a second term at a well attended ceremony.
The event brought together eminent Nigerians across political party affiliations. Curiously, arch political foes in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and former governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba and Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura were very conspicuous at the ceremony.
Their presence against expectation fuelled speculation that they may have been on a mission to woo Mimiko to the APC. Also the presence of a high level apparatchik of the PDP, which comprised of some members of the federal executive council and some governors added to the insinuation of struggle over the governor.
The governor has been at daggers drawn with the ACN governors in the South West such that his victory in the last governorship election has been subject of litigation by both PDP and ACN candidates. The presence of top echelons of both parties was viewed yesterday as an endorsement of his victory irrespective of the ongoing legal challenge. There have been series of reports in recent times that the PDP is seriously courting Mimiko who is currently a member of the Labour Party and Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State who is flying the flag of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Sources at the event disclosed that the APC leaders dispatched Fayemi and others to maintain a presence at the ceremony and from there explore avenue for possible talks with the governor.
“ACN is not leaving anything to chance. It is time for him to join the progressive rank in the country at least for regional integration”, said the source.
However, the new governor promised more commitment to good governance and assured the people of the state that he would not let them down.
Mimiko took the oath of office administered on him by the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi at exactly 1:05 pm while his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi had taken his at 12:35 pm.
Governor Mimiko was subsequently anointed with oil by Elder Tunde Adesida after prayers were offered for him, the state and Nigeria as a whole.
In his speech after he had been sworn-in, Mimiko was full of praises to God for the journey of four years which lapsed yesterday and the achievements recorded by his administration which he described as landmark and unprecedented in the history of the state.
At the Democracy Park built by the administration of Mimiko during his first term in office which was the venue of the event, people of the state gathered in their thousands to cheer the governor, popularly called Iroko by his admirers.
The governor who scored his administration high in all sectors in the state, however promised that he would not relent in the next four years to take governance closer to the people by ensuring greater achievements on all fronts.
He informed that the major focus of his new government shall be an aggressive drive at job creation for the teeming unemployed youths through innovative and durable programmes that will engender sustainable livelihood.
He informed that to achieve the industrial revolution he has in mind for the state, “government is undertaking a 30MW Independent Power Project in Ore, to provide independent power that will attract several industries to Ondo State”.
Commenting on some projects and programmes initiated by his government in the first term which were yet to be delivered, Mimiko said, “the on-going International Events Centre, The Dome, will by God’s grace be delivered this year. The state’s residency card, Kaadi Igbe Ayo will be launched by the grace ofGod, next month.”
He however appealed to the people of the state to ensure that they fulfill their own part of the social contract by obeying laws and paying their taxes, whilealso advising members of the political class to cease from looking at government and service as a goldmine.
While advising the people of the state to embrace hard work, Mimiko said, “we are proud people with a proud heritage; we are Akikanju and must not bow to gods of corruption, sleaze and indolence.”
Talking on integration, the governor said, “We assureour sister states of our commitment to cooperation such that our region can benefit from the individual strength of each state and possibilities of our aggregated potentials. We remain steadfast in our call for a restructuring of the country to achieve true federalism. We demand more equity in the revenue sharing formula and the devolution of more powers to the federating units.”
Mimiko therefore promised the people that he would continue to work until every child has access to quality education in a 21st Century environment, establish unfettered access to affordable quality health care services especially for the vulnerable group, food security in every home, every youth is usefully engaged and until the state was able to complete theongoing reform to facilitate aggressive capitalisation of the land resources.
The event was witnessed by eminent Nigerians whichincluded former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) Peter Obi (Anambra) Theodore Orji (Abia ) and Tanko Al-makura (Nasarawa), former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former governors of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja and Alao Akala, and the minister for health.
Also in attendance were former governors of the defunct Western Region, General Adeyinka Adebayo and Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, Dr Tunji Braithwaite, Brigadier Dayo Olukoya, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Great Ogboru, Oba Otudeko, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi (Rtd) the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, senators, members of the House of Representatives, members of the state House of Assembly, traditional rulers, politicians, technocrats and a host of others.