“Impeach Akeredolu” – PDP,   “Governor Has Not Breached Any Known Section Of Constitution” – Assembly

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has added a twist to the ongoing Impeachment battle in Ondo State with a declaration that the House of Assembly should immediately commence the process of removing Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from office.

The PDP noted that the continued absence of the Governor without transmitting power to anybody is a breach of the 1999 constitution.

The party, in a statement signed by its spokesman, Kenedy Peretei on Thursday, maintained that the State has been put on auto pilot for almost six months.

But, spokesman of the State House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, insisted that Akeredu has not breached any section of the Constitution.

PDP statement reads: “The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Fe,deral Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“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,  it is possible for a State Governor to be ill or incapacitated as it 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 for the purposes of –

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 reason an entire state must be brought to her knees.

“Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Ondo State Chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke sections 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.”

But the Ondo Assembly urged the people to ignore the PDP because it lacked knowledge of the duties of a Governor

Majority Leader of the Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the Governor has been performing his Constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the Constitution.

Ogunmolasuyi said the Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the State including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of salary arrears.

He said the PDP is not in the know whether the State Executive Council meeting holds or not.

According to him, “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.”

Akeredolu has been battling poor health conditions which forced him to go on a medical vacation to Germany. On return, however, after over a two-month absence, he went to Ibadan, his private residence, to stay. Since his return over a month ago, he has not set foot in Akure, Ondo State capital.  He has been running the State from Ibadan where stakeholders go to, regularly, meet with him – to the anger of the opposition Parties, especially, PDP.