All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and businessman, Bankole Betiku, has defended Ondo State Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa’s authority, insisting that the affect of federal appointees will have to now not diminish the standing of an elected governor. Betiku mentioned this in an editorial titled “Aiyedatiwa Is the Governor: Why His Workplace Will have to Now not Be……
All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and businessman, Bankole Betiku, has defended Ondo State Governor Fortunate Aiyedatiwa’s authority, insisting that the affect of federal appointees will have to now not diminish the standing of an elected governor.
Betiku mentioned this in an editorial titled “Aiyedatiwa Is the Governor: Why His Workplace Will have to Now not Be Lowered,” following the talk surrounding the governor’s description of Inside Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo as one among his “topics”.
Aiyedatiwa had made the observation throughout an look on Channels Tv’s Politics Nowadays on October 5, 2026, mentioning that Tunji-Ojo needed to paintings with him as a result of he used to be the governor, regardless of each males belonging to the APC.
The remark attracted complaint, with some observers deciphering it as an statement of private supremacy.
Then again, Betiku argued that the talk had positioned over the top emphasis at the governor’s collection of phrases whilst overlooking the constitutional authority and duties connected to his administrative center.
He maintained that Aiyedatiwa used to be entitled to say his place because the state’s leader govt, stressing that his constitutional mandate may just now not be displaced by means of some other flesh presser’s nationwide prominence, political connections or affect.
Bringing up Sections 176 and 5(2) of the 1999 Charter, as amended, Betiku famous that the Charter supplies for a governor in each and every state and vests state govt powers within the governor, topic to constitutional boundaries.
He, on the other hand, clarified that the governor’s authority over state affairs didn’t prolong to the minister’s federal duties.
In step with him, Tunji-Ojo’s appointment as Minister of Inside provides him important duties on the federal degree however does now not make him the manager govt of Ondo State.
Betiku additionally stated that the time period “topics” may well be thought to be irrelevant in a constitutional democracy, the place electorate revel in rights that can not be granted or withdrawn at a governor’s discretion.
He argued, however, that the usage of the phrase will have to now not routinely be interpreted as proof of authoritarian ambition, including that Aiyedatiwa will have to be judged by means of his movements, efficiency and recognize for the regulation.
The APC chieftain additionally faulted comparisons between the governor’s remarks and the workout of concentrated energy by means of historic Eu monarchs, together with Henry VIII and Louis XIII.
He argued that the ones monarchs operated beneath political methods essentially other from Nigeria’s constitutional democracy, which supplies for legislative scrutiny, judicial oversight and electoral duty.
Betiku additional cited an October 1 intervention by means of the Ondo APC Elders Discussion board, which instructed supporters aligned with Aiyedatiwa and Tunji-Ojo to steer clear of deepening divisions inside the birthday party.
The discussion board’s chairman, Demola Ijabiyi, had recognized Aiyedatiwa because the birthday party’s chief in Ondo State, liable for uniting individuals around the state’s 18 native govt spaces, whilst acknowledging Tunji-Ojo’s political affect.
Betiku mentioned the positions of the governor and the minister will have to supplement fairly than compete with each and every different, noting that cooperation between federal and state officers would get advantages Ondo State.
He instructed each political figures to prioritise collaboration in spaces corresponding to safety, infrastructure, schooling, healthcare, agriculture and financial building.
Whilst acknowledging the governor’s accountability to steer inclusively and unite the birthday party, Betiku stressed out that inclusiveness will have to now not be puzzled with surrendering the authority of his administrative center.
He added that Tunji-Ojo may just give a contribution to the state’s building thru his federal place with out undermining the governor’s constitutional duties.
Betiku concluded that Aiyedatiwa had the appropriate to shield the integrity of the governorship whilst ultimate responsible to the voters and running inside the limits of the Charter.
He maintained that the talk will have to now not overshadow the honor between federal administrative center and state govt authority, urging political stakeholders to concentrate on efficient governance and the pursuits of the folks of Ondo State.