—Says I parted with Aketi for appointing his son, Babajide as Prime Minister of Ondo State

Dr Akeredolu Oluwafemi Nehemiah popularly called Dr Akeredolu O.N, is a medical doctor, a Surgeon, a Chieftain of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ondo State and the Chairman of The Masses For Aiyedatiwa 2024, an amalgamation of over 240 various political groups, rooting for Governor Aiyedatiwa’s continuity in office as Ondo State Governor.

In this interview with AKINRINLOLA OLUMIDE, he shares his thoughts on the Ondo State 2024 governorship election, his relationship with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his rift with the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

Sir, can we meet you?

My name is Dr. Akeredolu Oluwafemi Nehemiah, popularly called Dr. Akeredolu O. N, from Owo-Ose axis of Ondo state. My late Father was from Iloro Owo, my mother is from Idoani, I’m very close to Gen. Olufemi Olutoye RTD, the current Alani of Idoani in Ose local government. I’m a medical doctor, OAU Ile-ife trained, a surgeon, currently pursuing my fellowship in Neurosurgery with both recognized colleges of surgeons in this part of the world.

You share the same last name with the late Rotimi Akeredolu, former Governor of Ondo State, what is your relationship with him?

I’m not related to Aketi by blood, though from the same Owo. I worked for Aketi in 2016 and oversaw all his medical activities as the leader of his medical team, there was a doctor who wanted to collect several millions of naira for the same purpose which Aketi and his campaign couldn’t afford, however, when I heard about it, I took up the challenge, I did everything for free, even the other health personnel with me. The campaign team through the director general, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan gave us a bus that was used and returned after the campaign in 2016. In 2019, I was nominated by Aketi himself as the secretary of the Buhari-Osinbajo medical committee in Ondo State, he openly eulogized my contributions to the growth of APC in Ondo State at the Cocoa Conference hall then. In 2020, though I earlier had reservations about his second term, I was made the vice chairman of his medical committee, because of my writing prowess, I wrote several articles to promote him before and after the election period.

Before his demise, you are his known critic, why?

Before I worked for him in 2020, I started fighting him in my little way. I and people like Prof Simidele Odimayo, the current SA to the Governor on Health, Dr. Ayenumelo, the current CMD of Okitipupa Specialist Hospital, and Comrade Jan Oladipupo had a meeting with late Aketi, where we complained about how he maltreated the APC members. He promised to adjust in his second term, blamed Unity Forum, a faction being led by Baba Ali Olanusi as the cause, that he would adjust within the first three months of the second term. When I noticed he was still continuing on the same path after winning his second term, I used to send numerous messages to him about the perceived maltreatment of APC party members and Aketi’s refusal to constitute most of the boards like HMB, primary health board, UnimedTHC board, scholarship board, Tescom and others where the faithful party members could be compensated. I finally parted ways with him when he appointed his son, Babajide, as the prime minister of Ondo state. I thank God for making such a decision, one of the best so far in my life.

You are a known Crusader in Aiyedatiwa’s 2024 governorship campaign, don’t you think the Governor is not appreciating you considering the numerous political appointments he has rolled out without considering you for anything to date despite your support for him from his days in office as deputy governor?

As the governor, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa rightly said that he believes God sent me into his political life to be of help when no one believed in him. There was a time when I was the only one openly associated with him, writing for him. It was my article that led to the meeting of elders of Yoruba, I mean Afenifere about the brouhaha in the state. I was invited to the meeting, I led the discussion for the concerned citizens of the state, and I gave resolutions for the meeting that there should be no impeachment in Ondo state which the Chief Imam of Akure seconded, and it was adopted immediately. I also told the meeting that our conclusion of the meeting must be sent to the President in Abuja; otherwise, the meeting would have no meaning. That was what the elders did, and the end came to the cabals, to God alone be the glory. I believe I will still write about the struggle one day to come.

I went through a lot, I was threatened, and many of the supporters of the cabals openly said I would die before the sick Aketi then, many people had dreams of my assassination and told me, but I put my trust in God, we thank God, Ondo state was liberated. On the issue of compensation, I believe everything comes from God, mine is to do what God wants me to do, it’s left for the Governor, H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to appoint anyone he believes he can help his government. I’m not disturbed, you can see that none of his appointees now can claim to have worked for him than me so far to the primaries.

Can Governor Aiyedatiwa win this election without the support of Jimoh Ibrahim, Olusola Oke, Wale Akinterinwa and host of other aggrieved APC governorship aspirants?

It’s normal for a crisis like this to happen at a party of great magnitude like APC, it’s obvious the only formidable party in Ondo state, President Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR did a lot for the current status of the party. I believe everything will be settled, all the aggrieved aspirants will be pacified before November 16, and we still have enough time to put our house in order.

Starnews NG learnt authoritatively that President Bola Tinubu was not willing to support Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, but the table turned in his favour within 72 hours of the primary election, what happened, and how did it happen?

There were plenty of issues as you had gathered, but I’m not authorized to say anything in that regard. We thank God for the elders of the land, I won’t say more than that.

Governor Aiyedatiwa surpasses 4 months in office as the state Governor, some people said he has no achievement, and didn’t perform, how can you prove them wrong?

It’s expected that the opposition in the state would never see anything good in the current administration, mostly this election period, however, there are lot of works in area of infrastructure. Mr governor paid the backlog of salaries for members of staff of Owo poly, employments are on going in the health sector, primary and secondary schools, several billions of naira was released for infrastructure in the state-owned Tertiary institutions, a lot of projects were successfully executed in 4 months of governance.

As a member of his campaign team, What are your selling points to convince the good people of Ondo to vote for him?

Yes, we have countless things to say about our governor in a positive direction as our selling points, he is a listening governor, ready to work and so far, he has done so well in all ramifications. My earnest prayer is for him to continue in the same tempo, I can assure the masses of Ondo State that people like my humble self won’t hesitate to tell him the truth, it’s a promise.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ondo State Chapter stated unequivocally that, the N5 BILLION DAY-CARE CENTRE RENOVATION SCANDAL that appeared in the budget of Ondo State government was part of the plans by the governor and the state government to swindle the people — an alleged plan that was thwarted by the media. Therefore, they said a mere apology offered by the government is not enough, what is your reaction to this?

That was not what happened, the budget was done in haste, the entire state was held by the jugular by the cabals, and we almost ran out of time. As I rightly said before this time, I don’t have a problem with The Sahara reporters’ fake news and PDP’s political jabs that followed, but the rejoinder of the commissioner was wrong, there was no need for an apology, very unnecessary, that allowed PDP to get at our principal. I called it fake news because the organization painted a scenario of reckless spending by the governor, which was not true.

Do you have any message for the people of Ondo State?

I want to quote Pharm Kehinde Fasoranti, the son of Pa. Reuben Fasoranti, he predicted that” H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa will win in the entire 18 local governments come Nov.16, 2024 “, I believe in this. The good people of Ondo state should continue to support H.E.