Adeleke’s Vacation: Osun CSOs Give Govt 48 Hours To Clarify Power Transfer

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

The Osun Civil Society Coalition has given the state government a 48-hour window to clarify whether Governor Ademola Adeleke transmitted a written declaration to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly before leaving Nigeria on vacation.

The coalition said the clarification was necessary to remove any uncertainty over who is constitutionally exercising the powers and functions of the governor while Adeleke is away from the country.

Adeleke had announced on Sunday that he had travelled to Europe for a vacation and would use part of the period to undergo medical examinations.

The development prompted the coalition to raise questions over compliance with the constitutional procedure governing a governor’s temporary absence from the state.

In a press statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, the group cited Section 190(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and urged the government to disclose whether the required written declaration had been transmitted to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.

The coalition argued that the issue was not about the governor’s right to take a vacation but about ensuring that the constitutional process governing the temporary transfer of executive responsibility was followed.

“The people of Osun State deserve certainty as to who is exercising executive authority at any given time,” the group said.

It warned against relying on informal arrangements or administrative assumptions where, according to it, the Constitution has expressly prescribed a procedure.

The coalition therefore asked the state government to confirm publicly whether Adeleke had transmitted the required declaration, and, if so, disclose when the transmission took place.

It said failure to comply with the constitutional requirement would require immediate action.

“However, if the required constitutional step has not been taken, we demand that it be done immediately and not later than the next 48 hours, so that there is no ambiguity whatsoever regarding who is constitutionally responsible for the discharge of the functions of the Governor while he is away from the State and country,” the statement read.

The group also called on the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to ensure that the constitutional requirement was respected.

According to the coalition, its demand should not be interpreted as opposition to Adeleke’s vacation or medical examinations.

“We wish Governor Adeleke a peaceful vacation and successful medical examinations. However, personal goodwill towards the Governor cannot take precedence over constitutional requirements,” it said.

The statement was signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Comrade Dr. Waheed Lawal, and Secretary, Comrade Olowu Emmanuel.

The group concluded with a firm message to the state government: “The Constitution must be obeyed. The right thing must be done. And it must be done within the next 48 hours.”