STILL TRYING HARD TO MAKE A CASE FOR AKEREDOLU (SAN), AKETI

Rotimi Akeredolu is arguably too old

LET me first use this medium to Congratulate Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who celebrates his 56th birthday today the 21st July 2012. May God bless you and your family, IJN, Amen.

I am struggling to make a case for the distinguished SAN in the light of the perceived political naivety which is being brandished by commentators about his antecedents and lack of closeness to the people of Owo Division and Ondo State in general. But can he be the man for the future?

The present Chairman of the Governors Forum, Governor Amaechi (Rivers) born 27/5/65 became governor at the age of 42 years. The most recently installed Governor Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) born 26/1/66 became governor at the age of 46 years. Probably one of the best performing governors in the country in his completed first term and deserving of a second term, Governor Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) born 19/12/62 became governor at the age of 45 years. (Average of the 3 is 44 years)

Is the case different in the South West zone? Well in Lagos State, Governor Babtunde Fashola born 28/6/63 became governor at the age of 44 years; Dr Kayode Fayemi born 2/9/65 became governor in Ekiti at the age of 45 years; Governor Adams Oshiomole born 4/4/1957 became governor of Edo State at the age of 55 years; Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola born 25/5/57 became governor of Oshun State at the age of 53 years; Senator Ibikunle Amosun born 25/1/58 became governor of Ogun State at the age of 53 years and finally, Governor Isiaka Abiola Ajimobi born 16/12/49 became governor at the age of 62 years (the most senior, but average of the 6 is 52 years).

Our amiable Governor Olusegun Mimiko born 3/10/54 became governor of Ondo State at the age of 55 years. He is 2 years older than his ACN counterpart Akeredolu, who is today seeking the number one office in the Sunshine State. Few years may not be much when you are age 20, 30 or even 40, but when you are 50 years plus, there’s a massive difference. The ACN had a chance, but they opted for ‘age, maturity, wisdom and experience’ against the current popular trend.
Can we be different in Ondo State, should we be different? It would appear that it is no longer fashionable to have elderly statesmen as “Servant Leaders” given the agility and flexibility demanded by the Executive Governor office. Even Governor Babangida Aliyu (Niger) born 12/11/55 became governor at the age of 52 years and the examples go on and on.

These are facts, but my people will decide.