By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for the resignation of the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, over his ill-health, saying the state should not be grounded because of the governor’s health conditions.
METROWATCHXTRA.COM reports that Akeredolu has been indisposed for some time and he shuttles between Nigeria and abroad for medical treatment from an undisclosed ailment rumoured to be leukemia (blood cancer).
With the non-appearance of the governor in public for weeks, rumour of the demise of Akeredolu took over the social media space, in the last 48 hours, with the situation creating apprehension in the state.
In reaction to the wide speculation, on Saturday, the Ondo PDP through its spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, asked Akeredolu to resign if he is no longer fit to be governor, like he(Akeredolu) once told late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Peretei challenged the state government and handlers of the governor to prove that Akeredolu is alive and should stop taking people of the state for granted, and stop playing politics over the governor’s health.
A statement issued by the Ondo PDP read in part, “Those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.
“As mortals, any human being can fall sick. Whether in public office or private life. Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State, maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts.
”In 2010, when then President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill-health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over.
”If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill health. Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign, if he is no longer fit to be governor.”
But, in a swift reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, said though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary.
Olateju noted, “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.
“We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
“We enjoin the members of the public to ignore rumor. Aketi is very much alive.”
