Ever since February 24, 2009 that Olusegun, the head of the Mimiko’s clan of Ondo Ekinmogun kingdom became the Governor of the Sunshine State of Ondo, the state has never been the same.
Having had his initial victory in the polls scuttled by some Abuja cabal, Mimiko became Governor via the efforts of all the progressives in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the then opposition’s Action Congress of Nigeria, which later metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu physically, morally and financially supported Mimiko. Tinubu gave all support to Mimiko because the man who prides himself as “Iroko” preaches development, welfare consideration and progressivism which the Jagaban Borgu represents.
Mimiko promised to pursue the interest of Ondo people with sanctimonious attention. He promised to abolish poverty and squalor in Ondo State if voted into power. Mimiko vowed that no Ondo man will go to bed with empty stomach, as long as he remains the Governor.
All the above promises attracted the progressives and the common people to Mimiko. Whether in PDP or ACN, the popular agenda then was that the PDP government of the now late Agagu’s administration must be curtailed by all lawful means.
However, no sooner did Mimiko got the insignia of power; he began to manifest his true nature. He betrayed virtually all the people who made him Governor. One would have thought otherwise if he had betrayed the bourgeoisie who made him and vigorously pursued the interest of the common people, but Mimiko failed all.
His second-term victory in October 2012 was aided by President Jonathan at the detriment of his own political party, the PDP. Mimiko betrayed the rich, the middle class, the poor and the poorest of the poor.
Today, Mimiko dines and wine with the same Abuja cabal that scuttled his earlier victory in the polls at the detriment of the majority of his helpers. Governance has also collapsed in Ondo State under the watchful eyes of Mimiko.
Seven years after its establishment, Ondo State University of Technology, Okitipupa (OSUTECH) established by Agagu’s administration has not produced a graduate. Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) has retrogressed from being the 1st best state university in Nigeria to 7th best.
Mimiko failed Akure people; he failed Owo people; he failed Ikare people; he failed Ikale people; he failed Ilaje people and also failed his people in Ondo Ekinmogun. Five years after flagging-off of the Ondo township roads into a dual carriage way, the project is still begging for completion. He deceived all interests in Ondo State.
Mimiko’s much-publicized Fountain Water at Alagbaka is now a mirage. The maternity center built and packaged by Mimiko as Abiye Motherhood Hospitals is now a glorified clinic, and yearning for drugs and personnel. Majority of the markets Mimiko claimed to have constructed across the 18 Local Government Areas have been taken over by weed and rodents.
Today, none of the legacy companies and factories inherited by Mimiko are functional. They are all moribund. Arigidi Tomato Company has not produced a single litre of tomato paste despite sinking a whopping N1billion from the state treasury. Oluwa Glass at Igbokoda is crying for attention; Okeluse Cement Factory has become a white elephant project even when reports have it that about N5.7bn went into it without anything to show for it. Okitipupa Oil Mill resuscitated by Agagu government has closed down. Mimiko’s Kadi Igbe Ayo gulped N3.7bn, but we are yet to be availed of its usefulness.
The Civil Servants who vigorously campaigned for Mimiko’s second term in 2012 are now wallowing in self-pity, and in the euphoria of regret. Their salaries are no longer being paid as at when due.
Nepotism has been adopted as a state policy in Ondo State. Only Mimiko’s nuclear and few of hisextended family members get contracts in the state.
Politically, Mimiko’s ideology remains inconsistent as he has moved from the Alliance for Democracy, AD, to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the Action Congress, AC, to the Labour Party, LP, and now back to the PDP.
Mimiko has betrayed all his Political mentors since the advent of the 4th Republic. He betrayed the late former Governor, Adebayo Adefarati, who made him a Commissioner in 1999. He betrayed late Agagu, who made him the Secretary to the State Government in 2003; he betrayed Olusegun Obasanjo, who made him a Minister in 2005; he betrayed former Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who helped him became Governor in 2009. He betrayed the people of Ondo State who gave him the opportunity to serve.
Oh! Power, as they say belongs to the people. People are the bedrock of democracy. People ultimately decide who gets what, when and how in every democratic setting.
On March 28, 2015, the people went to the polls to decide. For the first time since the return of the democratic reign in Nigeria, the people kicked against Mimiko. On the day of election, the greedy, voracious and ravenous man looked back, but he could not fiind the common people on his side. They have deserted him.
The Elites whom Mimiko has continuously betrayed also disowned him. The commoners came to judgment, and they voted to restore their souls. The palace chief which Mimiko now translates to in the national political calculation was de-robed through the ballot.
Mimiko failed to win his senatorial district for his boss, President Jonathan. Out of the nine members representing the state in the House of Representatives, Mimiko managed to win just three. He was disgraced and rejected by his people in Ondo Ekinmogun.
How time flies! What a victory for Ondo people!
Lateef Raji is the Convener of Ondo Renaissance Group.