The Ondo impeachment drama is getting more and more carouser, as the hunter is turning the hunted, even as the original prey isn’t out of danger.
It’s one big distraction that shouldn’t have been, and yet it is, no thanks to political hawks. The endgame isn’t looking pretty for the ruling APC, that seeks a fresh mandate one year away.
Endangered Deputy Governor Lucky — not so lucky now, it seems — Ayedatiwa appears fated to try every trick necessary to save his job. He still faces an impeachment noose.
His latest gambit is to fend off proceedings in his legal challenge, until the national APC could somewhat midwife some peace among its warring Ondo members. But the court all but gave that a short shrift, by rejecting an indefinite adjournment of his suit, while the parties sued for peace.
So, by October 20, the court’s ruling will either loosen or tighten the noose. The impeachment prey is still very much in danger!
Still, who is down needs no further fall? That could apply to Ayedatiwa, not Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor who, by the impeachment, seeks his deputy’s scalp. But Ayedatiwa’s impeachment also somewhat turns Akeredolu from the hunter to the hunted.
After arriving Nigeria after a successful medical tour of Germany, hardly anyone knew the governor was still cocooned in his Ibadan home, instead of sweating in his Akure Governor’s Office — until the opposition Ondo PDP made it a cynical public issue.
“Resume or resign” went one of the placards/banners, taunting the recuperating governor, making his health issue a reckless and insensitive, if not hostile and cynical, public matter. It’s the last thing Aketi needs in his delicate state.
Yet, due to hawks on both sides, the governor has turned defensive, citing how Ondo government was effectively running, even without him in-situ. Again, this is totally avoidable.
By picking a wrong fight at a wrong time, the Ondo APC has proved it lacks elders, with consummate wisdom and strategic thinking. The national APC should therefore intervene to save its Ondo branch from itself.
One year to an election, this impeachment gambit is out-and-out bad business. The national APC had better dive in to pacify the combatants.
Otherwise, it should brace itself for a cynical and ruthless PDP onslaught on a bitter, headless and divided party, with bitterness deepening by the hour. The awaiting catastrophe won’t be pretty.
Those who have ears, let them hear! Or is it already too late?
(Hardball)
