As the search for a new Deputy Governor for Ondo State is ongoing, a group, Ondo state Positive Thinkers on Friday urged Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to seek for an experience hand that would help him stabilise the state.
Aiyedatiwa was sworn-in as the governor of the state following the demise of Governor Olurotimi Akeredolu who lost the battle against prostrate cancer on Wednesday morning.
The Governor had been reported to have started consultations across the state and outside the state.
He was in Lagos on Thursday, 28 December, 2023, where he had a close door meeting with President Bola Tinubu.
Though, he has promised the president to mobilise all stakeholders in his domain to move the state forward, the group said the Governor would however need to achieve this by the calibre of choices he made first hid Deputy Governor and also members of his Executive Cabinet.
The group in a statement signed by its President, Balogun Bodeola and made available to journalists in Abuja stressed, that “the challenge before Aiyedatiwa right now is how to reconcile the already fractured state following the political crisis that engulfed the state in the last three months or also.
“We therefore call on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to avoid picking a deputy that would not add value to governance in the state.
“Mr. Governor needs a deputy that understands the political dynamics in the state and also a political stabilizer, a bridge builder that would help rebuild the already broken bridges in the state.
“Though some names have been thrown up and also behind the scene lobbying have been ongoing, we feel that the governor needs a grassroot politician who would help him settle down to work and also humble enough to help Mr. Governor galvernise the people of the state behind him.
“In this wise, we want to suggest Hon. Victor Olabimtan who is not new to the Akeredolu-Aiyedatiwa camp.
“The 66 years old graduate of History, University of Lagos, is currently the Executive Chairman of State Universal Basic Education Board since 2022, hails from Supare-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“Olabimtan was the Director General for Aketi in 2016 and he also played the same role during Aketi re-election in 2020.
“A former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and one time governorship aspirant, Olabimtan has political contact across the state, which puts him in a better position to help the Governor reconcile the already divided state.
“Olabimtan, an astute politician and a grassroot mobiliser is the kind of person that the governor needs right now to help stabilise the state because of his reach and contacts.
“As a group seeking the best for Mr. Governor and the state, we believe that Olabimtan would be a political asset.
“With his experience and contact, we are rest assured that he would help the governor to quickly settle down in office”.
