The Ondo South Advancement and Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) has written to the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, raising alarm over what it described as “deteriorating governance” in the state and “tyrannical tendencies” by some of the governor’s appointees.
In the letter jointly signed by OSAWA President Ade-Aworetan Oluwajuwon Adejare and General Secretary Otunba Oyawale Isaiah, the group, called on the governor to take decisive steps to improve state-wide security, ensure fair infrastructure distribution, uphold media freedom, and check the excesses of certain top government officials.
OSAWA alleged some appointees, particularly the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Wunmi Isaac, of high-handedness and undermining free speech and governance procedures.
“It is disheartening to see unelected individuals wielding power in a manner that ridicules the essence of democracy,” the letter reads.
“Some of these elements, who are not even from Ondo South, have resolved to tarnish the image of our senatorial district and your government.”
The group demanded a public apology from both officials within 14 days or their removal from office.
“We are demanding public apologies from specific appointees or their removal due to perceived tyrannical behaviour.
“They are Mr Kayode Ajulo SAN, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and also Mrs Wunmi Isaac the Commissioner for Finance within 14 days of receiving this letter so as to restore public trust in the government; failure to do so, we will thereby demand for their removal for the interest of the state.”
OSAWA further lamented what it termed “one-sided focus and underdevelopment” in Ondo South, stating that the district has not witnessed significant infrastructural investments under Aiyedatiwa’s administration.
While acknowledging ongoing projects inherited from past administrations in other parts of the state, the group emphasised that the South remains underserved.
The group criticised recent moves by some government appointees who reportedly petitioned fellow officials to federal agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) without consulting the governor or following internal procedures.
OSAWA argued that such actions reflect poorly on the governor’s leadership and portray a lack of internal coordination.
The group reminded Governor Aiyedatiwa of his roots in the Ondo South Senatorial District and urged him to rise above internal politics and act in the interest of the entire state.
The group issued a strong call to action, urging the government to implement comprehensive measures to address rising insecurity through better coordination among security agencies and transparent use of security funds.
The group also stressed the urgent need for accelerated infrastructure development, particularly in the long-neglected Ondo South region, calling for the swift completion of ongoing projects and the initiation of new ones.
OSAWA further demanded equitable distribution of educational resources and improved support for teachers’ welfare to ensure fairness across the state’s educational system.
Emphasising the importance of good governance, the association called on the government to embrace public feedback and criticism as vital tools for accountability.
Additionally, OSAWA insisted that appointees accused of authoritarian conduct must either publicly apologise or be dismissed from their positions.
“In Ondo State under your watch, some appointees are claiming to be higher than the governor himself,” the letter added.
“This government must urgently steer away from unproductive and divisive tendencies.”
The group also advocated for governance training for political appointees, stressing the need for institutional capacity building to prevent internal conflicts and promote effective communication within government structures.
Additionally, it called for the protection of media and civic freedoms, demanding an end to the reported harassment of journalists and youth advocates.
