-By Yemi Akintomide
The sudden and untimely death of Mr. Tosin Ogunbodede, the Chief of Protocol to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) at the dawn of the New Year 2021 came as a rude shock and joy killer to many indigenes and residents of the state. This unfortunate incident abruptly truncated the festive mood and the joy of celebrating a brand New Year by the people, as the tensed atmosphere immediately turned into mourning and commiseration.
Several tributes and condolence messages were sent to the Ogunbodede’s family of Owo town and most especially, to Governor Akeredolu, the immediate boss of the deceased. Saturday January 2, 2021 was indeed a black day in the Sunshine state.
The governor sorrowfully rushed to his hometown of Owo in less than 24 hours after the demise of his CoP in a ghastly car crash to condole with his widow, children and other family members. Akeredolu was physically downcast and lost in deep pain throughout the visit.
This same feeling and mood could be seen on the face of everyone that was privileged to meet, work, associate or interact with the late Ogunbodede during his lifetime, either in private or public engagements.
However, one man that agreeable benefited from Ogunnodede diligence on duty and handwork for over three years as Akeredolu’s deputy, Agboola Ajayi decided to mock the death by playing politics with the tragedy, in his own condolence message. This was quite unfortunate and not the best way to mourn a supposed loyal aide and gentleman.
Late Ogunbodede was a trained lawyer and a lecturer at the Rufus Giwa Polytechnics, Owo before he was appointed by governor Akeredolu as CoP, so he was never a everyday politician and political jobber in the likes of Ajayi and co. Ajayi was right by saying “everyone who knew him enough would testify that he was totally different from so many other politicians.” Ogunbodede was never a politician in the first instance.
Ajayi went further to deliberately cast aspersions on his presumed political enemies by addressing the late CoP as “a perfect gentleman, who devoted time to ensure that good governance prevail over and above politicising issues, destroying personalities, and blackmailing.” Definitely, CoP daily cores are not include the above activities, so who’s the deputy governor want to get back at?
Though, the embattled deputy governor later pay glowing tribute to the Tosin Ogunbodede that he “possessed a great character which was a perfect mix of dynamic qualities that inspired admiration and respect from those of us who had the pleasure of working closely with him. His sincerity, humility and warmth evoked a friendship and affection from all of us that met him, especially during his time as Chief of Protocol to the Governor.”
But, to many readers of the above condolence message, it was more a way of Ajayi pouring aspersions and condemnations on some of his unnamed political foes while pretending to pay tribute to the late CoP. What a way to play a dirty politics at a time like this?
And to confirm this unholy character displayed above by the deputy governor, his media aide, Allen Sowore openly displayed his ignorance and ingratitude in his write-ups about the death of Ogunbodede tagged “Oku Egbeyin”. Whatever he means.
Here, Sowore went totally off the radar by abandoning the mourning and paying last respect to the deceased, to put the unfortunate death of Ogunbodede right on the laps of Akeredolu, blaming the governor for every steps leading to the sad incident.
Sowore went straight attacking and pointing accusing finger to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu by maliciously analysing the official statement issued by Akeredolu’s Information Commissioner, Donald Ojogo on the death of the CoP.
In the most uncultured manner, Sowore believed and also want his readers to believe that, the Chief of Protocol to Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN died in a fatal road accident while returning from Ibadan, “where he had gone to brief the governor on assignment and government’s itinerary for the new year, against Ojogo’s statement that he was returning from a private visit to Ibadan to see his sick uncle.
Sowore went ahead to queried Ojogo for using the word ‘Private’ in the said statement, accusing the Governor for “seriously trying to hide the very fact that he celebrated the NEW YEAR in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital while he lackadaisically allowed refuse, dirt and debris to take over major streets of Akure, the state capital.”
The self acclaimed (or better put, Ajayi’s appointed) special adviser said so many irresponsible and senseless points in his infamous statement just to nail Governor Akeredolu to his aide’s untimely death; but another media aide to the governor, Segun Smart Ajiboye has a reply for the ill mannered aide and his embattled boss, Ajayi.
Ajiboye, who is the Chief Press Sectary to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) said in his reply titled ‘Allen Sowore’s Leaders & The Dance
To No Songs & Drums” that Sowore must have found himself in the visible pain on the ego trip of a self deluding master.
Ajiboye’s full statemen; “How and why he found himself there aren’t the issues here. However, the reality remains that the freedom to make choices does not vitiate the presence and potency of consequences. Allen made his choices and therefore, could not insulate himself from those choices.
It is no longer strange to see Allen Sowore jump onto the opinion box to raise spurious issues especially , as long as Governor Akeredolu is involved. Not only does he struggle to find a space for himself and his deluded paymaster under the guise of strange activism. He uses uncouth and most discourtious language in his commentaries that have lost steam and touch.
My focus is on the latest attempt by Allen and his paymaster to impugn and insensitively, portray Governor Akeredolu’s personality in the light of the demise of his Chief of Protocol, Tosin Ogunbodede, Esq.
Ordinarily, the cruel and mindless effort to mock the death, and the trajectory of expression of pains in varied dimensions from the camp of Allen ‘s leader or leaders, manifest the inherent influence of darkness over them. In particular, the puerile attempt play politics with the unfortunate incident of the CoP’s death calls for concern.
There is no doubt, it is futile to make efforts to convince a cowardly but determined wicked few to change their stereotyped mindset about any situation. However, the innocent and unsuspecting reading public deserves to be spared of a narrative that spins lies fed by endless wallow in pains.
For emphasis, the statement issued by the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Orientation was explicit and clear enough. Only those in the ilk of Allen and his leaders would warp the statement to suit their purposes and motive that are unhidden. Clearly, it does appear the statement halted the trajectory of their narrative as soon as the accident that led to the death of the CoP was reported.
If the low intelligence and intellectual deficiencies of these self-idolators who spin through an Allen came to the fore in a statement that emanated from them three days after the CoP’s demise, the latest spin by their usual carrier depicts a rather tragically static but disorientated mind.
Does anyone, if at all their narrative made sense, need to travel from Akute to Ibadan just to brief his Principal on the activities for the Nrw Year? The fact of their failed mission to corner governance through diabolic means has indeed, diminished if not eroded the most simple possibility of such ‘briefings’ with the help of technology.
If higher officers such as the Secretary to Government, Chief of Staff, Head of Service and even Cabinet members communicate with the Governor through telephone conversations and mails, commonsense was most unkind not to have interceded on behalf of Allen and his masters who are still in pain over their ignoble past and unholy paths.
Perhaps too, the most unhelpful route taken by these treacherous men of unclean hearts is the attempt to demonize the annual Thanksgiving and Praise Service usually conducted on the first working day of the week to herald the New Year.
To those who believe in the dark clouds of the Satanic world as expressed by taken and his leaders, Herbalists in political garbs, it made no sense that the Service held. Our incurable faith in God tells us the Service made ALL SENSE.
The cancellation of the Praise Service would have been the most effective way to water the seeds of evil and herald the triumph of darkness represented by Allen and his leader over light the State. God forbid!
One can therefore, only emphatise with these known agents of darkness if they do not understand the potency of Praise Service. Such are not meant for Herbalists to understand. Only God-fearing people do.
With regards to the issue raised by the camp of the time keepers in respect of the Deputy Speaker’s official vehicles, there are several reasons their pains are understandably, palpable and spaces occupying. The last kicks as February 24 approaches. One can only wish them well as they pursue their case with respect to the Office of the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly.
Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN does not require to explain to the world who he is and what he represents in the legal profession. May our ways and forced desires to be what we lack capacity to be, not ridicule us.”
The last word from here: never bite the fingers that is feeding you o, otherwise ‘you don beleful be dat o’, and don’t come to blame anybody, but yourself if you’re now hungry without food. Be calm and keep your peace because you’re only suffering from a self inflicted injury.
YEMI AKINTOMIDE, a Journalist and public affairs analyst wrote from Ireakari Estate, Orita-Obele, Akure.
Ondo State.
08069204292
