Ahead of the Edo and Ondo elections in September and October, the political climate has been a steaming pot of dramatic activities in the last few weeks. Ranging from disqualification, and suspension to accusations and defections, there has been no shortage in the constant updates of the Nigerian political brouhaha.
The latest in the political saga came in the late hours of Saturday following a viral video on social media depicting the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Bolaji Salami preventing the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, from moving out of his official quarters at the government house.
There are speculations that the Police Commissioner acted on the orders of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, in response to rumours of the Deputy Governor’s defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) next Monday.
Others who refuted the claim alleged that some aides to the Deputy Governor were trying to cart away government property late Saturday, leading the Governor to use the Police in preventing same. They added that the Deputy Governor relying on his immunity allegedly tried to shield the aides.
Reports indicate that the Deputy Governor was detained for more than four hours at the gate of the Government House gate, and many have described the action as an insult to democracy. They described the act as cowardice and intimidation on the part of the Governor.
However, the Commissioner for Information reacts to the allegations that the deputy wanted to move out of the quarters in the middle of the night.
He said further that on entering the government house there are prosedure to follow which will also be following during the exit.
There are cars and other belongings of the government that should not be talking away by the deputy governor.
He said what is expected of the deputy governor is to wait for the time to do proper check up before departure.
Discussing it from a broader perspective, some of those who reacted expressed despair at the alleged act of injustice, wondering what hope the common Nigerian holds, if a Deputy Governor with privileges could be treated in such manner.
Details on the alleged involvement of the Governor in the ordeal of his Deputy are however yet to be confirmed.