Controversy Over Akeredolu’s Continued Absence

By Anayo Ezugwu

Following the continued absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from Ondo State and his seclusion from the public, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and some civil society groups have raised concerns with some of them asking the state House of Assembly to investigate the absence of the governor.

Akeredolu officially resumed duties in the first week of September after returning from a three-month medical leave in Germany. But he has since not set foot in the state. He has also not addressed the people of the state or seen in public, not even during visits by state officials to his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.

While the governor remains out of view, a political drama was underway in the state as the House of Assembly launched a bid to remove his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for alleged disloyalty to Akeredolu.

The lawmakers, however, suspended the move against the deputy governor, last week, after the state’s Chief Judge, Olusegun Odusola, declined their request to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Aiyedatiwa.

Odusola’s decision was based on an order of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining him from setting up the panel until the court had determined a suit filed by Aiyedatiwa on the move for his removal from office.

PDP calls for governor’s impeachment
Reacting to the development. the PDP charged the state lawmakers to impeach Akeredolu for violating Section 193(2) of the 1999 constitution. The PDP through its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, said it was time to impeach the governor over his continued absence from the state.

Peretei said the time has come for the state House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Akeredolu for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. He said: “It is no longer news that Ondo State has been on auto-pilot for nearly six months, grounding all activities of the government due to the ill health of the governor.

“Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the Governor of public sympathy.

“The Constitution envisaged that a State Governor can be ill or incapacitated as is the case with Akeredolu now and therefore made safeguards. Section 193(2) states expressly that the Governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the Deputy Governor and all Commissioners of the Government of the State to determine the general direction of policies of the state amongst other provisions.

“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be the reason an entire state must be brought to its knees. The PDP calls on the state House of Assembly to invoke section 189(1) to cause a Medical Panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state. Our party wishes to urge the governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.”

Group Calls For Probe On Governor’s Health Status

A prominent socio-political group in Ondo State, the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF), on its part, petitioned the state House of Assembly to investigate the current state of health of Governor Akeredolu. The group asked the Assembly to constitute a medical panel to probe the current state of health of the governor.

The group, which comprises concerned citizens and political activists, expressed reservations regarding the health of Governor Akeredolu. The group has in the past months, championed the call for the resumption of the governor, who since his return to the country, has failed to resume duty, in the state, or seen performing any public functions.

It said: “The ORF has, therefore requested a thorough medical evaluation to ascertain the governor’s fitness to continue carrying out his duties in office as the governor of Ondo State. This move has ignited discussions across the state as the group emphasizes the importance of transparency in governance. The Ondo Redemption Front believes that a comprehensive medical examination will provide the necessary clarity and assurance to the citizens of Ondo State, especially as the governor remains unseen, by the people of the state.”

The petition, which has already been received by the speaker of the state Assembly, was sent on behalf of some of the group’s leaders, including Ologun Ayodeji (chairman), Olufemi Lawson (secretary) and Isijola Kike, among others.

State Assembly Dismisses Calls For Impeachment

But the State House of Assembly differed sharply on the call for the impeachment of Governor Akeredolu. The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, slammed the opposition for displaying a lack of knowledge of governance.

Ogunmolasuyi said the governor has been performing his constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the constitution. He added that the Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the state including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of salary arrears. He also noted that the PDP was not in the know whether the State Executive Council meeting was held or not.

“The governor is doing his duties. Everything is going on well in the state. We have met with the governor and all those that want to meet with him. If the governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed all bills brought before him. What we know is that the PDP is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of a governor,” the lawmaker said.

Apc Alleges Plot Instigate Crisis In The State

In its reaction, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the PDP of planning to instigate a crisis in the state. The party, however, assured the people of the state that Governor Akeredolu will be back in the state in a matter of days, adding that he has been discharging his official duties, irrespective of his location.

The party’s Publicity Secretary in the state, Alex Kalejaye, in a statement, alleged that the party has uncovered a plan by the opposition party to instigate a crisis in the state in order to portray the party in a bad light ahead of next year’s governorship election. He said some PDP leaders have entered into an unholy alliance with some elements in APC to foment avoidable crisis in Ondo State.

He said: “The ruling All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has uncovered the plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to instigate crisis in Akure, the State capital. The essence of the arrangement, it was further gathered, is to create a semblance of political instability in the peaceful state, in addition to portraying the ruling party in a bad light, ahead of the governorship election, coming up next year.

“It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains, who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalised plans to destabilise the Sunshine State. The chapter explained that Ondo State has thus far been peaceful, and organized, and enjoyed enviable political stability, and industrial harmony.

“It is unbelievable that the main opposition party is engulfed by leadership turbulence in Abuja, will prefer to go into an unholy alliance with some elements in APC to foment avoidable crisis in Ondo State.

Disturbed by the information, condemned in strong terms such thoughts and plans to instigate political upheaval and create disaffection among the people.

“Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location. The party also expressed appreciation for the understanding and prayers of the good people of the state for the admirable governor. We are very optimistic that our governor; your performing governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days”.

Likewise, the southwest youths of the APC slammed the PDP for giving an ultimatum to Governor Akeredolu to either resume or resign for failure to resume work in Ondo State.

The Zonal Youth Leader of the party, Comrade Kolade Paff Lawal, said the governor has not breached any law by working from his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Lawal said the demand of the PDP is mischievous as the governor has been meeting with relevant stakeholders including traditional rulers on the affairs of the State.

He said: “The governor will soon join the people of Ondo State. The call for the whereabout of the governor is a result of love but when the opposition asked the question, it was borne out of mischief. You have the right to protest, but should not be to undermine the administration of Governor Akeredolu.”

Lawal further said that Governor Akeredolu has been performing his official duties, including the payment of salaries and meeting members of the State Executive Council even though he has not resumed physically in the state.
“Governor Akeredolu’s administration has continued to show its unwavering commitment to workers’ welfare. We are aware that salaries are being paid up to date. Just last week, the governor gave approval for the payment of the leave bonus. The administration’s commitment to good governance and the welfare of its workforce is unparalleled.

“As part of the efforts to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Akeredolu’s administration has also embarked on the distribution of palliatives across the 18 local government areas of the state. This, to us, underlines Mr. Governor’s steadfast dedication to those in need.

“Several ongoing major road construction projects and other initiatives throughout the state demonstrate the administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing infrastructure and ensuring the welfare of the people. Presently, this administration is constructing the first flyover in Akure, the state capital. It’s a major stride.”

Lawal noted that since God rested after the creation of heaven and earth, the decision of Governor Akeredolu to seek rest and adjust his normal work schedule to allow him to fully recover is a testament to his human nature, reminding us that even leaders are not exempted from the trials of flesh and blood.

He added that recent days have witnessed remarkable progress in various projects overseen by the administration, affirming unequivocally that governance in the state is robust and resolute even with his absence.

Governor insists he’s in charge
Governor Akeredolu also replied to the PDP and other groups agitating for his absence that he remained in charge of the affairs of the state. The governor in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, urged them to focus on tangible progress being made in the state rather than sensationalizing his whereabouts.

Noting that his location has not hindered any form of development in the state, Akeredolu reminded the opposition that he showed his commitment to the state’s development irrespective of his location by signing the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Bill into law.
The statement read in part: “This is a progressive step towards the development of the state, further reinforcing the fact that the government is operational and effectively functioning.

“In the same vein, the various state ministries are delivering efficiently on their mandates. Specifically, the Ministry of the Budget and Economic Planning recently commenced a series of town hall meetings in preparation for the 2024 budget, demonstrating the government’s dedication to transparent and inclusive governance.

“Just a few weeks ago, the governor instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands & Housing to commence the permanent rehabilitation of the Akure-Owena-Ondo road. This action was taken to prevent unnecessary hardship and loss of lives on the federal highways located within Ondo State territory.

“To alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the state government, through the palliative committee led by the Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa, is actively distributing palliatives to the state’s residents.

Moreover, the state’s free school shuttle buses have resumed operations, providing transportation for children to school. Civil servants are also benefiting from special transportation arrangements to and from work.

“Significant progress is being made in the construction of the ultra-modern University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital in Akure. Furthermore, the government ensures the prompt payment of workers’ salaries as and when due.”

With the raging controversy over the whereabouts of Governor Akeredolu, political activities in the state are expected to intensify in the coming days and weeks, and only time will tell if the PDP and civil society groups will sustain their efforts for the impeachment of the governor.

Source: New Telegraph