By Allen Sowore, Esq.
Nestled in the heart of Alagbaka – Akure lies the Ondo State Government House, a sprawling complex comprising approximately twenty buildings. This governmental enclave, akin to a miniature village, boasts a serene environment adorned with meticulously maintained horticulture. The modern amenities on its premises include a fully-equipped police station, a fuel station, a well-appointed hospital, multiple halls and event centers, and no fewer than eleven robust power generators.
The Government House also offers places of worship, both a church and a mosque, alongside several T-junctions adorned with ancient Iroko trees—potentially sacred spaces for traditional worshipers or those seeking to pour libations to honor their ancestors under the cover of darkness. All of this is enveloped by a formidable perimeter fence. The annual maintenance and operation expenses for this Government House reach staggering sums, all to ensure the comfort of its esteemed resident, the Governor.
Regrettably, the Ondo State Government House has now seemingly been relinquished to malevolent forces.
In the recesses of my memory, I recall my secondary school days when Mr. Mike, our English teacher, labored to impart the beauty of poetry to us. Among the poems etched in my mind are “Corruption,” “Abiku,” and “The Casualties” by J.P. Clark, not to mention “Superstition.” Of all these verses, “Superstition” was the most enigmatic to me—an abstract composition that perplexed my young mind. I often found myself skipping those verses. Today, however, I’ve come to realize that such abstract phenomena indeed hold sway over our lives.
Superstition has been an enduring presence in African culture. Yet, surreal and otherworldly events can breathe life into these superstitions. A striking example can be found in the death and burial of the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, followed by a series of mysterious occurrences.
In 2013, an aircraft transporting the remains of the former governor tragically crashed on the outskirts of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos shortly after takeoff, claiming the lives of 13 individuals. Astonishingly, all members of the late governor’s entourage survived, and the coffin remained intact. Since that fateful day, the Ondo State Government House has been shrouded in beliefs reminiscent of what Reuben Abati, former Media Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, described as the “Spiritual Side of Aso Villa.”
Dr. Abati offered a haunting portrayal of the Villa, stating, “Around the Villa while I was there, someone always died, or their relations died. It was as if you needed to sacrifice something to remain on duty inside that environment. Even some of the women became merchants of taboo items because they had suffered a special kind of tragedy in their homes (I apologize for revealing this). Many of the men complained of issues below the waist. Those who escaped such misfortune battled various ailments, from cancer to brain and prostate surgeries. The Villa was a hospital filled with agonizing patients.”
Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who succeeded Agagu, experienced his share of supernatural episodes when lightning struck the multi-billion-naira newly built Governor’s lodge. He never took residence there, nor does any governor wish to inhabit it.
This curse doesn’t solely afflict those currently in power but extends to those who aspire to occupy it. A recent incident involving a prominent chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a leading gubernatorial aspirant, suffered a horrendous car accident. Speculations abound, with many accusing rival contestants of involvement. The questions persist: Why now? Why him?
On September 7, 2023, Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu announced her husband’s return from an extended medical vacation via a Facebook post. While this event may not raise eyebrows given the current state of governance in the state, what is truly perplexing is that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON did not return to Akure, the state’s capital, which he had ardently governed. Instead, he opted for Ibadan, Oyo state. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement condemning the governor’s actions.
As I contemplated raising this issue, I encountered a chorus of voices, particularly from the governor’s camp, attributing his ailments to his stays at the Alagbaka Government House—suggesting that each visit to this place resulted in his illness.
It wouldn’t be surprising if Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN CON decided to relocate the entire Ondo State government and its operations to Oyo state because as I write now, the State Executive Council just concluded a meeting in Ibadan. Such is the power of superstition.
Welcome Mr. Governor !
