The annual ritual of Ondo State governors, dedicating the first working day of the year to prayer and homily, has become a platform for deceit and hypocrisy. While claiming spiritual sanctity, our leaders embark on lies and fallacies, disregarding the struggles of the people.
A homily, meant to correct and inform, is reduced to a hollow exercise when leaders prioritize personal gain over public service. Past and present governors have used this platform to spew false narratives, ignoring the plachronological development of the State.
Akeredolu’s promises to Tosin Ogunbodede’s family, his former Chief of Protocol who died on a visit to him in Ibadan, remain a stark reminder of his hypocrisy. Despite their shared Owo roots, Akeredolu’s pledge to support Tosin’s family was abandoned, exposing the emptiness of his words. If not APC through Engnr Adetimehin, the man whose efforts cemented the party as Chief of Protocol would not have derived any benefit from a State for which he sacrifices his life. As at the time Tosin died in that unfortunate accident, his first child was about to enter University. While others were taking care of themselves under Akeredolu, Tosin was busy building a synergy between the Governor and the people through his office. The disaster that is currently happening in the protocol department of the governor was none existent under Tisin Ogunbodede. If Aketi to whom he dedicated his life could fail him so blatantly, who would blame Aiyedatiwa. A man who does not care about the living around him cannot remember a dead man.
Going forward, Aiyedatiwa’s vow today to implement the 2026 budget “faithfully” rings hollow when Civil Servants lack running grants. If the judiciary who made Aiyedatiwa the Governor is currently “chopping or been served breakfast how would the system not suffer hiccups? Magistrates and Judges await promised tools like vehicles and fixing of leaking Court premises. Yet, the Governor can buy vehicles for traditional rulers across Ondo State. Buying of vehicles or fixing or relation of Courts are not favours. They are statutorily flavoured responsibilities that the government is meeting in deceit and abeyance.
The Civil Servants, supposed engines of growth, are complicit in this corruption, prioritizing personal wealth over public service. Their lavish lifestyles, boasting “best houses in Akure,” shame the State.
The Clergy, too, are part of this charade, trading prophetic voices for envelopes. But Japan shows us that success comes from hard work and doing the right thing, not hollow rituals. Japan isn’t a country of constant prayer; it’s a nation of diligent citizens who prioritize progress over pageantry.
Hypocrisy masquerading as piety won’t develop Ondo State. Doing the right thing, with accountability and transparency, will. The time for change is now.
Sola Ajisafe is the Lead Attorney at Rich Templars Legal based in Akure.
