By Allen Sowore, Esq
One of the most important stages in producing red palm oil is allowing the fruits to fall naturally from the bunch after cutting it down from the palm tree. The Irobos, who were traditional palm oil producers, would even slash the bunches into three or four parts and leave them for a few days, letting the fruits drop off on their own before cooking and processing them into well-refined oil.
In the mid-1990s, there was a man in our town who was desperate to get rich quickly. When he ventured into the palm oil business, he began forcing the fruits off the bunches because he simply could not wait. Apart from producing low-quality oil, the thorns tore at his hands until the skin peeled off. He was soon nicknamed Afipáyoyin—“the one who forces palm fruits to fall.” Eventually, he was stigmatized and excommunicated from the community for his sharp practices and impatience.
Some politicians in Ondo State today behave exactly like that man— Afipáyoyin. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has been in office for less than a year in his first, freshly elected four-year term, yet they have already begun scheming, permutating, and desperately maneuvering to twist facts and spread falsehoods.
We have lived long enough in this state to know better. We have seen an administration that froze government accounts for more than six months upon assumption of office without doing anything. We have witnessed another that spent two years merely planning. Perhaps Governor Aiyedatiwa is the first governor to truly embody the principle that government is a continuum.
But to the Afipáyoyin, ongoing projects and new initiatives should not be mentioned. The restructuring and upgrade of the homegrown State Security Network— Amotekun and the provision of over 50 operational vehicles to security agencies for the protection of lives and property—apparently does not count. The prioritization of workers’ welfare is conveniently ignored.
Yet, they say we shouldn’t count the following as achievements:
Reduction of Domestic Debt: From ₦74 billion to ₦12 billion.
Recruitment in Education: Over 2,000 new teachers employed for primary and secondary schools.
7.8 km ShopRite–Oda Road, Akure (completed and commissioned).
Massive renovation of primary and secondary school buildings across the state.
Eleven new structures already standing at the site of the new Judicial Complex in less than one year.
Onyearugbulem–Irese Flyover, Akure—now at its final stage.
The simultaneous dualization of Akure–Idanre, Akungba–Ikare, and Okitipupa–Igbokoda roads.
14.5 km Ode Ajagba–Akotogbo Road.
13.4 km Ajagba–Ijuosun Road (Irele LG).
Reconstruction & Rehabilitation (60 km of selected roads across the state):
Omotoso Road (Okitipupa LG).
NCI General Hospital Road (Ondo West LG).
4.5 km NDDC Quarters Road, Igbokoda (Ilaje LG).
Several township roads in Akure.
Construction of concrete walkways in riverine communities.
There is no doubt: Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is determined, committed, and focused on delivering on his promises to make life better and take Ondo State to greater heights.
The problem with Àwon Afipáyoyin is impatience and desperation. Their proverbial haste yields only substandard results—and, just like the thorns that guard the palm fruits, it leaves their fingers bloodied and scarred. Sadly, many of today’s Afipáyoyin will eventually turn back in regret when they realize they have been misled. By then, it may be too late.
I am confident that this sponsored media war against Governor Aiyedatiwa is doomed to fail. It failed during the build-up to the APC’s primary election and the subsequent general election. This renewed attempt too will fail.
Allen Sowore, Esq
SSA to the Ondo State Governor on Strategic Communication
18th August, 2025
