Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State, South West of Nigeria is a man that is careful of his entire current move but the citizens of his state are more adept at the watchman’s game than he is. The grapevine is agog that he expects a pay back from the powerful Olateru-Olagbegi’s family over the Governorship electoral appeals that is expected to begin today in the state.

Very reliable sources hinted that Agagu maybe banking on using the state Chief Judge, Justice Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi to penetrate and influence the decision of the crucial tribunal.

This is even as allegations also emerged that the sum of N2 Billion was offered to Dr. Rahman Mimiko of the Labor Party, LP, by the camps of Agagu to drop his challenge of the Governorship election at the tribunal sitting today in Akure.

The PDP was also alleged to have sought the assistance of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuawade to persuade Mimiko from making an appearance at the tribunal.

Pundit believe that the PDP caucus in Ondo State has taking a position with the Governor that Justice Olagbegi have to be reminded that three times the royal family has been amply assisted to get its wish by the Agagu/Olumilua power bloc of the state. The Bamidele Olumilua of which Dr. Segun Agagu was the Deputy Governor amidst overwhelming opposition ensured that the Chief Justice’s father-in-law, Oba Olateru Olagbegi, after 26 years of being dethroned as the Olowo of Owo, was reinstated in the early 1990’s. Also the Chief Justice’s brother-in-law, Oba Folagbade Olateru Olagbegi who was denied recognition by the administration of Adebayo Adefarati was granted every paraphernalia of office by the Agagu’s administration. The Chief Justice’s appointment was also at the behest of the Agagu’s administration.

Now the PDP caucus in the state is mandating the Governor to remind the Chief Justice to do everything possible to penetrate the membership of the tribunal whose identity has so far being kept secret by the Federal Judicial Commission.

Allegations are rife that Agagu now has a standing weekly budget of N15 Million for the conduct of media and populist campaign. The man identified as his alter-ego, former Nigerian Ambassador to Greece, Professor Olu Agbi, is identified as the lead-spin doctor of this effort at securing popular acceptance for whatever comes out of the expected victory of Agagu at the tribunal.

The Judiciary in Ondo State is said to be poised for a showdown with the executive arm of the Ondo State government over repeated attempt to take its sanctity and independent away. The progressive wing of the judiciary in the state is said to be worried that the legacy of eminent juries like late Dr. Akinola Aguda and Professor Peter Oluyede is being ruined by the recent adventures of the Agagu’s administration.

Professor Agbi who was said to have addressed about twenty six journalist recently in Lagos told pointblanknews in a phone interview that so much has been attributed to him that are wrong. He said he was misquoted when he said the Dr. Rahman Mimiko’s running mate; Alhaji Ali Olanusi was making attempt to return to the PDP “like a prodigal son.” He said Olanusi never made such moves. Rather he said, “I said Olanusi has been a long time friend and political associate and there is no way that we can easily forget the good times we had together.”

A cross section of the people in the state are of the opinion that even though Mimiko is denied his stolen mandate that they believe God watches over the state and knows that a fraud was committed in the state during the election, reminding politicians in the state of the fate that befell Sani Abacha.

All efforts to contact Governor Agagu were futile as he refused to pick his phone when pointblanknews called.