Ondo looks set to be the next state to witness major defections as APC leaders object to Aketi's style of governance

ONDO State could witness the next stage of major defections ahead of next year's elections as several members of the cabinet have expressed reservations about the leadership style of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu which has left them alienated.

It is believed that no fewer than 10 commissioners and special advisers plan to resign their positions soon to stand in the 2019 general elections. One local All Progressives Congress (APC) leader said the commissioners are making the move as a result of the overbearing influence of the special assistants and special advisers appointed by Governor Akeredolu in their individual ministries.

He added that many commissioners have been rendered impotent as the governor sidelines them and relates to the technocrats instead of the politicians. In addition, the members of the Ondo State House of Assembly are also believed to be sulking over several alleged unfulfilled promises by the governor on the purchase of vehicles and constituency allowances.

One source said the governor, who travelled out of the country recently, failed to communicate this to the Ondo State House of Assembly. He is accused of running a one-man show as political patronage is not dispensed fully in the 17 months of the administration, with some of the governor’s friends said to be highly favoured by the Akeredolu administration.

Apparently, one of such friends is alleged to be a consultant to no fewer than four major road contracts across Ondo State while the company that secured the contracts is alleged to be owned by a special adviser in one of the ministries. Another friend is alleged to be in charge of the state forest reserves.

Party members are grumbling that about 50% of the contracts for the renovation of primary schools across the state, recently awarded by the state government, were cornered by a privileged few who were nowhere to be seen when the APC was fighting to be elected. Also, an influential special adviser is alleged to be having an overbearing influence in some major ministries that are said to be lucrative.

Many commissioners and party leaders complained that the governor is not accessible as he is not always around and when around, prefers to engage with his associates appointed as special advisers in their ministries instead of them. While many commissioners are grumbling about the overbearing influence of special advisers and senior special assistants in their ministries, APC leaders have raised the alarm about capital flight from the state.

According to these party leaders,  this capital flight can be traced to the governor's allies who come from outside Ondo State to do government contracts and take the proceeds back to their bases. APC leaders in the state have met with the governor severally on his style of governance but nothing has changed.

In addition, party sources said Governor Akeredolu refused to constitute the boards of government agencies and parastatals to give room for political patronage. As a result, many of the commissioners and other political appointees may have been perfecting plans to jump ship and stand as legislators next year.