Governor Akeredolu’s Continued Absence: Group Urges Ondo Assembly To Declare Aiyedatiwa Acting Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo Liberation Initiative has advised the State House of Assembly to follow constitutional provisions and declare the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as Acting Governor in the continued absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The Group, in a letter to the Speaker of the House, signed by Johnson Alabi, wondered why Akeredolu has not resumed duties, a month after his letter informing the assembly of his resumption.

“The Governor reportedly submitted a letter to you dated 7th September. 2023 informing you and the good people of Ondo State of his resumption of office on the Ondo State Government letter head paper bearing the Alagbaka Office address in Akure, Ondo State as widely reported in the media.

“Unfortunately the Governor has not reported in Akure or any other part of Ondo State till date. The total period, put together since the date of the said letter is now sixty  days.

“Going by the legal consequence of non-appearance of Mr Governor in any part of Ondo State since his supposed resumption, it is apparent that the Governor has been unable to carryout the functions of his office and having failed to transmit a letter conveying same to the House of Asembly for the past 60 days, the House of Assembly has no choice therefore than to invoke the provisions of Section 190 (2) of the Constitution.

“For the avoidance of doubt, section 190 (2) of the Constitution stipulates that “In the event that the Governor is unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1) of this section within 21 days, the House of Assembly shall, by a resolution made by a simple majority of the vote of the House, mandate the Deputy Governor to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor, until the Governor transmits a letter to the Speaker that he is now available to resume his functions as Governor.”

“The Governor is, with the greatest respect, “UNFIT” to carryout the duties of his office, and the people of Ondo State are in dire need of a leader to chart the course of progress, determine the general direction of the policies of government and coordinate the activities of the government in the state.

“The good people of Ondo State are now very much desirous of someone that is fit to carryout the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor and you are therefore expected to immediately mandate the Deputy Governor to  commence the performance of the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor as required by law.

“This is necessary, in order to cover up the vacuum which has been created by the continued absence of Mr Governor from the state.

“Being the custodian of the legislature in Ondo State, you are expected to uphold your allegiance first, to the Constitution that you swore an oath to uphold and to the good people of Ondo State by taking up your duty and within three days.”

The group demanded the presence of Akeredolu in the state within 72 hours, address the people, meet with his executive members, failure of which it may resort to legal action to compel the legislature to act.