Persistent Attack on Gov. Lucky Is Not Politics, It’s Hatred
Prince Ralph Oguntibeju, Ereke
There comes a time when silence can no longer be mistaken for neutrality. There comes a time when one must call a spade by its rightful name. What we have continued to witness against Governor Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa is no longer opposition politics or constructive criticism. It is a sustained coordinated campaign of hatred, bitterness, and desperation aimed at discrediting his administration regardless of its achievements.
In every democratic society, criticism is expected. Government policies should be questioned, decisions should be scrutinized, and leaders should be held accountable. That is healthy for democracy. But when criticism is no longer based on facts, policies, or performance, and instead becomes a daily obsession with insults, character attacks, and the deliberate distortion of every government action, it ceases to be politics. It becomes personal.
The truth is uncomfortable for some people. Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa has refused to play politics with governance. He has refused to run government as a compensation centre for political jobbers. He has refused to mortgage the resources of Ondo State just to satisfy a few loud voices who believe government exists to reward personal loyalty rather than competence and due process.
For those whose expectations of appointments, contracts, or undue political influence were not met, the response has been predictable. Rather than accept that public office is a public trust, they have resorted to relentless propaganda, blackmail, and attempts to create the false impression that nothing good is happening in Ondo State. Every achievement is ignored, every policy is twisted, and every opportunity is seized to attack the Governor.
Yet, facts remain stubborn.
Road construction and rehabilitation are ongoing across the three senatorial districts. Infrastructure development is visible. Qualified personnel are being recruited into critical sectors. Government institutions are functioning. Projects are being executed, and governance continues within the framework of the rule of law. These are tangible issues that deserve objective assessment, whether one supports the Governor politically or not.
What is particularly disturbing is the disgraceful level of insults now directed at the Governor, especially on social media. Even more embarrassing is that some of those leading these attacks are young politicians, including people from his own kinsmen. Political disagreement should never translate into disrespect for the office of the Governor or the continuous degradation of our political culture.
Governor Ayedatiwa’s calm disposition has unfortunately been mistaken by some mischievous elements as weakness. His refusal to exchange insults or respond to every provocation has emboldened those who mistake restraint for fear. But leadership is not measured by how loudly one responds to abuse. It is measured by the ability to remain focused on governance despite distractions.
That said, supporters of good governance cannot continue to watch in silence while the office of the number one citizen of Ondo State is subjected to daily ridicule. The office deserves respect, regardless of who occupies it. Criticise policies where necessary. Demand accountability where appropriate. Offer alternatives where you disagree. But reducing political engagement to insults, abuse, and campaigns of hatred diminishes everyone involved.
Those who genuinely love Ondo State should place the interest of the people above personal ambition. The future of our state cannot be built on bitterness, envy, or the desire to pull down anyone who refuses to bow to political pressure.
History has shown repeatedly that propaganda may dominate social media for a season, but it can never erase genuine performance. Roads cannot be wished away. Infrastructure cannot be denied. Jobs created cannot be rewritten by online narratives. Development speaks louder than sponsored outrage.
Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa, like every elected leader, is not above criticism. But criticism must be factual, balanced, and driven by the public interest—not by resentment over unfulfilled personal expectations or political disappointment.
Ondo State deserves issue-based politics, not politics driven by hatred. It deserves leaders who govern and citizens who judge them fairly. It deserves mature political engagement, not endless campaigns of abuse.
Persistent attacks founded on bitterness, personal grievances, and the determination to destroy rather than debate are not politics. They are hatred disguised as criticism, and no amount of noise can stop a government that remains focused on delivering for the people.
_Prince Ralph Oguntibeju writes from Ruling House of Ereke_
