INTERVIEW:  Akeredolu’s Video is unnecessary, Ajulo Insists …Says Inordinate Political Permutations still in Play

INTERVIEW:  Akeredolu’s Video is unnecessary, Ajulo Insists …Says Inordinate Political Permutations still in Play

Amidst the buzz surrounding the recent video of Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu in the hospital on his birthday and the ensuing political drama, Dr Kayode Ajulo, OON, a jurist, and rights activist spoke extensively. In an exclusive interview, he briefly expressed his reaction to his recent National Awards and shed light on why he thinks the image handlers of Gov Akeredolu are not doing it rightly.

Ajulo’s insights offer a unique perspective on the sensitive matter. Discover his candid reactions as he delves into the need for privacy and respect for public figures, shedding light on the potential consequences of exploiting Governor Akeredolu’s vulnerable state for political gain.

Here is the engaging interview as Ajulo unveiled the truth behind the controversial video and its wider implications for the political landscape in the State.

Q: Good day, and thank you for granting us this interview. I want to congratulate you on your recent conferment of one of the highest National Honours in the country, Officer of the Order of the Niger. Sir, permit me to read what I saw in your citation on the honour to you: “Ajulo is found deserving of the honour not only because of his intimidating profile but for his enormous contributions by using the instrumentality of the law to make several insightful interpretations, noble, and unquantifiable contributions to governance and democracy in Nigeria. He had distinguished himself as an advocate of excellence whose ingenious examination and solutions to social and political challenges have, in no small way, contributed to nation-building.”

I read this to you to be able to get your sincere reaction when you saw your name as a recipient of the national award. Because the statement I read to you is trying to remove the clause of man-know-man from the equation. What would you say?

**Ajulo:** Well, thank you for having me and for congratulating me. The news of being conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) came as a delightful surprise. I was outside of Nigeria and on an LNER Train to Aberdeen from London when I received the news. I had no inkling that my name would be included in the list of honorees , so it was genuinely unexpected. I can confidently say that the recognition by President Buhari: a person we believe is frugal with whatever is in his control is to me one of the eighth wonder of the world.

Q: Cut in….But what can you say of the assessment of your person as mentioned in your Honour’s Citations?

**Ajulo** Without sounding immodest, I won’t take for granted the analysts’ assessment of my contributions. It is not a fluke that from a young age I have had a passion for writing, debating, and advocating for a just and egalitarian society. My journey in the legal profession provided me with a platform to channel this passion into constructive positions on critical issues. My work has always been driven by a genuine commitment to contribute to the development of Nigeria and promote good governance.

I am humbled that the federal government recognized and acknowledged these efforts through this prestigious honour.

The conferment of the OON is both a challenge and a motivation for me to continue my commitment to nation-building through my capabilities and expertise. It is an affirmation that my contributions are making a positive impact and a call to do even more. I remain dedicated to using the instrumentality of the law to advocate for excellence, address social and political challenges, and advance the interests of our beloved nation.

_”No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave.”_

So, yes, I agree with the analysts that the government of former President Buhari understood the genuine intentions of my patriotic acts and rewarded them.

Q: Interesting! Now, about Ondo State politics. We understand that you recently condemned the video showing Governor Akeredolu in the hospital and there has been a reaction from the Honourable members of the Ondo Assembly that posted the video. Can you elaborate on why you find this video troubling?

**Ajulo:** _”What is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehoods to deceive the public; ethical advertising uses truth to deceive the public.”_ -Vilhjalmur Stefansson

Simply put, this was the real intention of the video because it was laced with an inordinate political undertone. Yes, I find the video distasteful. It is deeply troubling because it is nothing but a violation of the Governor’s privacy and dignity. Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution as amended provides for the right to dignity of the human person. It emphasizes that every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, this is the same provision that outlaws, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Therefore, I firmly stand by my position that filming him in such a vulnerable state, telling him when to raise his clenched fist and when to bring it down in his state of infirmity to make a political statement, is despicable and highly insensitive.

Arakunrin Akeredolu is not just a public figure; he is a sovereign, a totem and symbol of greatness, glory, and stability of the State and apart from this, he is a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who carries the honour and dignity of the legal profession. The sanctity of his position should be respected, especially during this time of health challenges. So, consider this before you even address him as a Governor. For me, it is like taking advantage of his health challenges. Can anyone invade Aketi’s privacy if not because of that?

Q: But the person that shared the video has said it was with good intentions to assure the public of the Governor’s well-being. And some individuals have defended the release of the video, arguing that it was intended to quell escalating doubts. How do you respond to this defence?

**Ajulo:** I understand the concern to reassure the public, but I also know there are more respectful and ethical ways to do so without breaking limbs and legs. That simple picture showing the Governor and his wife was sufficient for whatever purpose intended. Placing phone calls to some respected leaders, The President, the Acting Governor, SSG, his cabinet members, Traditional Rulers, like Deji of Akure being the Chairman of the State’s Chiefs and the King of Owo, i.e. Olowo as well as some recognised dignitaries in the polity and profession, like Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN as well as some his party leaders.

I am not given to discussing individuals, but someone has undertaken to give the reason for releasing the infamous video and I think we need to situate things as it is said, that the visit to the Governor was purely to resolve over “14 political issues that has to do with the 9th and 10th Assembly”, good Lord! And that the the Governor now could sign papers, OMG! Why subjecting him to such ordeal, disturbing and bothering a man who is on sick leave and recuperating? What form of torture is more than that?

I even wondered where the attending doctors and the health care practitioners were when those things were going on and why are they in a hurry to get all those things done.

Saying that the video was released to douse tension of the death rumour is even laughable as I need to ask, what fueled the rumour in the first place? Did it not start the moment someone from the Governor’s constituency began to aspire to be the Speaker of the State House of Assembly?

The introduction of such satanic, selfish and insensitive political permutation and agenda heightened the concerns for the Governor’s wellbeing and created doubts about his health status in the minds of many. This misled innocent people to think that something bad had happened to the Governor, seeing the boldness of the group to want to make the individual the Speaker of the State. Or how do you explain the hurried need to ensure that the Governor and the Speaker come from the same constituency?

Also, it is certainly unprofessional and a breach of standards on the path of the attending doctors who allowed such conduct around their patient. They are expected to show high ethical standards. But, as I mentioned in my statement, allowing the Governor to be filmed in such a state undermines the trust and confidence we usually repose in medical practitioners during critical times of illness. It is very inappropriate.

Q: Some raised concerns about condemning the video when it was in many publications how people were asking for the governor’s whereabouts. They argue that the video should be applauded instead of criticised.

**Ajulo:** Well I can only speak for myself. Please, you need to critically review all statements that emanated from me since the inception of this whole issue, There has never been a time I commented about the whereabouts of the governor. I never asked anyone to provide even a single image, maybe because I have some privilege informations. I have my facts right and I am aware of the developments around the Governor. I have always spoken from the angle of what I know and the position of law, concerning the unruly political permutations of some appointees of government and politicians who want to take advantage of the governor’s absence to foment trouble by engaging in unconstitutional activities.

Let me tell you, the video in question has even raised more doubts about the Governor’s health and from reliable information, has brewed even stronger and unhealthy political permutations within the state. We must learn from history and treat our leaders’ health with the utmost sensitivity and respect, as their well-being affects the entire state.

Q: What about history? And do you know that some people think you are very involved in the issue because you have an interest in becoming the Attorney General of the State? They said you are working for someone.

**Ajulo:** I have wanted to address this issue before you come with this question. See, what I have been doing all along is no different from what Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN that I know would do in a situation like this unless you don’t know the stuff he is made of. As a journalist, you must have written stories about him and the way he disagrees on matters, especially constitutional issues, with the federal government, led by the same APC he belongs to. See, allowing unconstitutional activities to thrive in government hinders desirable development and some of us cannot pretend.

So, my actions are driven by principles and not personal interests but for our common patrimony in Ondo State.

During the issue of President Yar’adua’s illness, we were all concerned about the unholy way the country is being run, I was in London during the Arbitration hearing of this P&ID Vs Nigeria, In January 2017, an independent London tribunal found that Nigeria was liable for about $10 billion that’s about 8 Trillion Naira! in damages to Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) after it failed to deliver on terms agreed in a 2010 gas facility contract. Who signed agreement and who ordered the signing, the matter is messy and embarrassing to Nigeria, you know why, it was done when President Yar’adua was on sick bed and the allegation although yet to be confirmed was that some smart Alec capitalized on the Late President Yaradua’s infirmity and absence to pull a fast one on Nigeria, the matter is on though but must we wait and allow some crocks to play a fast one on Ondo State’s resources before we ask questions?

Governor Akeredolu, known for his outspokenness, joined us at the forefront of advocating for justice during that period. Was the governor working for somebody during that period to become the Attorney General of the Federation? Were former Governor El-rufai, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Baba Buba Galadima, Prof Wole Soyinka, Late Yinka Odumakin and hosts of others in Save Nigeria Group working for someone to become ministers each?

This situation is no different; it is about upholding constitutionalism and ethical conduct, especially in government, which affects everyone.

In another view, those who know me will tell you more about me. I am a walking and living testimony of God’s Grace and Mercy. My parents are mere Booksellers but I have been blessed beyond imagination. However, becoming the Attorney General of Ondo State is not in my contemplation. And I need to make this clear, and if you care to know I m qualified to be the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Q: Where then did the energy and or the motivations come from. Who is paying you?

**Ajulo** Interesting! Who is paying me? No one, to pay me for what, let me let out a secret, even in my practice as a lawyer, I don’t issue invoice for any of Public Inyerest cases I handled.

My public engagements are always by default. What is wrong is wrong and what is right is right. I have nothing against anyone but this is my state and people are asking what is happening there knowing that Ondo State people are sophisticated and one of the very first set of people that will come out to condemn any impunity in the country, especially when people are turning the constitution upside down to suit their political moves.

Aketi will not even allow such and I am sure we have seen him in his elements that countless numbers of times. So, this impunity cannot be happening in our backyard and expect someone like me to keep quiet or asked to be paid before intervening. As I said, I have nothing against anyone but as a lawyer, concerned citizen, and rights activist, it is my duty to advocate for transparency and respect for the rule of law.

Q: In light of all of this, what message would you like to convey to the people of Ondo State?

**Ajulo:** The people of Ondo State have displayed unwavering support for the Governor, and that is commendable. I urge them to continue rallying behind the Governor with prayers for his speedy recovery. They should also pray for the Acting Governor and the State Exco for Gods guidance. Let us not allow ourselves to be used by desperate politicians who want to leverage the Governor’s absence for unjust political calculations that could disrupt the peace of the State. Instead, let us unite in prayer for Governor Akeredolu’s health and well-being and uphold the principles of empathy and respect in our actions. Together, we can build a stronger and more united Ondo State.