By Ogochukwu Isioma
As uncertainty surrounds the state of health of the Ondo State Governor, Barr Rotimi Akeredolu, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), yesterday, urged the governor to hand over power, in acting capacity, to the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement signed by the Ondo state SDP chairman, Mr Stephen Adewale, the party said the prolonged uncertainty over governance in the state would impact negatively on the affairs of not just the citizenry but also all sectors of the state.
SDP was reacting to a statement by the Ondo Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, that Akeredolu was not incapacitated but only indisposed after the SDP called out the state government last week on the governor’s whereabouts.
The opposition party said since the governor was indisposed, he ought to have handed the administration to his deputy to avert a constitutional crisis in the state, for the latter(deputy) to act as governor pending his(Akeredolu’s) return.
The SDP chairman emphasised that the continuous absence of Akeredolu had also led to absence of Ondo state on national scene when the state was not represented in recent meetings of state governors with President Bola Tinubu.
SDP said, “Ondo State and Ondo State friends must speak out on the increased level of uncertainty that hovered around the governance of our dear Sunshine State before it is too late. What began as a candlelight blaze is quickly snowballing into a sizable forest fire. And if we do not act quickly, history will not be kind to all of us who knew the incredible power of voice but chose silence.
“The SDP in Ondo State understands Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s health condition, for which we have been praying for a speedy recovery. However, the state should not and cannot be left without a constitutional head in an acting capacity while he is away attending to his health. As we write this, our dear governor has refused to hand over to his deputy in an acting capacity while his whereabouts remain unknown.
“In the past seven days, President Tinubu has met with the APC Governors’ Forum twice. During each of those meetings, matters of national importance were discussed. Nearly all the governors were in attendance, and those who could not make it had their deputies fill in for them. The only state that was conspicuously missing in terms of representation at the two meetings is our dear Ondo State.
“While he recuperates, therefore, we call on Governor Akeredolu to immediately hand over to constitutionally delegate power to the deputy in acting capacity so as to keep the state running effectively. And if he is strong enough to preside over the affairs of the state as his people claimed, then it is well past time for Governor Akeredolu to show up and prove the doubting Thomases wrong.
“We also call on every relevant stakeholder and patriots in the state to ensure that unnecessary and avoidable constitutional crisis in the management and functioning of the state government did not ensue. This is not the time for them to hide in their cocoon of imperturbability. This is not the time for the “Governor is getting better and everything is going on smoothly in the Ondo State” nonsense spewed by APC apologists and many politicians who are abetting the governor to shirk his constitutional responsibility.
“Unknown to these praise singers and those who have chosen silence over talking, no one suffers adversity alone and misery often seeks new neighbourhoods to occupy. No matter how these silent stakeholders in Ondo might feel, we will all be touched in varying degrees should this issue be allowed to deteriorate. A prolonged uncertainty over the administration of Ondo State will cost the state untoward setback. There is no doubt about this. And that is why silence is dangerous now. Ondo State is in a rare moment in time when only genuine, exhaustive, and wide-ranging conversations can save the impending storm. This is the time to start the constitutional conversations.
“It is disturbing that a man who once sat atop the highest chair at the Nigeria Bar Association, who actively participated in denouncing an ailing head of state when the latter refused to hand over to his deputy, and who has devoted his entire life to defending the constitution of the land would blatantly and deliberately flout that very constitution. In the light of this, we implore Governor Akeredolu to safeguard his hard-earned reputation by handing over to his deputy in an acting capacity until he is capable of handling the state’s business.
This is a duty and responsibility that Governor Akeredolu owes to himself, his party members, his family, and the good people of Ondo State.”
Governor Akeredolu has been on an extended vacation and this is widely assumed in Ondo state to be connected to his state of health.
In fact, a rumour had circulated in Ondo that Gov. Akeredolu was dead, but the state government quickly debunked it.
A video clip was released showing Akeredolu in a home setting watching the English FA-Cup final match between Manchester City and Manchester United played on Saturday.
