Fresh appointments by Gov Aiyedatiwa fuel lobbying battles in Ondo

Politicians are vying for jobs in Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet as a result of the governor’s formal inauguration as the seventh democratically elected governor of Ondo State.
According to News, Aiyedatiwa, who was running for governor on behalf of the All Progressives Congress (APC), won handily in all 18 local government districts on November 16, 2024. He overcame 19 opponents, including the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Agboola Ajayi, his principal rival.

Daily Trust’s investigations show that politicians and supporters who helped Aiyedatiwa win had higher expectations. The appointment of commissioners and other important administration officials is something that many people are looking forward to.

In order to obtain posts, people are using their connections and requesting endorsements from powerful people, religious leaders, and traditional rulers at the Ondo State Government House in Alagbaka.

Power struggles and political alignments

A list of Aiyedatiwa’s supporters has reportedly been submitted for review by former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, whose support was crucial to his victory. Others are competing for positions in the National Assembly and State House of Assembly in the meantime.

In an effort to be considered for positions as commissioners, special advisers, and agency heads, prospective appointees are also reaching out to Aiyedatiwa’s close allies both inside and outside the state. Some APC members have even traveled to Abuja to lobby the president, members of the National Assembly, and federal ministers.

APC leaders are pressuring the governor to reward party loyalists, which has left him in a challenging position. Given Aiyedatiwa’s inaugural speech, in which he offered an olive branch to the opposition, a party insider underlined the importance of honoring those who were instrumental in ensuring the party’s triumph.

Aiyedatiwa is apparently adopting a cautious stance in spite of these pressures, seeking to balance his appointments in order to appease influential funders as well as political supporters. According to sources, he is also eager to appoint young professionals and capable technocrats to further the goals of his administration.

Important Appointments and Cabinet Reorganizations

Aiyedatiwa has not yet revealed his entire cabinet roster since assuming office. He ordered members to turn over government assets when he disbanded the cabinet that was left over from the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu last month. But because of the importance of their roles, he kept Commissioner for Finance Omowunmi Isaac and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Kayode Ajulo (SAN).