In The Absence Of Gov Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

After much noise and media hype about his whereabout, Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu finally wrote to the state House of Assembly, informing the legislature about his ill health and resolve to seek medical attention outside the country.

The request for medical leave was transmitted to the newly inaugurated legislature, which members were sitting for the second time.

The State legislature, through the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, in a statement explained that the Governor had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from 7th of June, 2023 to 6th July,2023.

According to the letter, the leave, which commenced on 7th of June, extends to 6th July, 2023 due to the Public Holidays on June 12(Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir(28th and 29th,June,2023).

He explained that the Governor, who had directed his Deputy, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, to act as the Governor while away, has assured of his resumption on the 6th of July, 2023. The Speaker had earlier described the Governor as a lover of peace and an apostle of rule of law. He later, wished him speedy recovery and joyful vacation.

The letter, seems to have now given life to some of the Governor’s Aides that had been too quiet to talk on the Governor’s state of health. From the Commissioner for Information to the Chief Press Secretary, Special Assistants that were vocal while Akeredolu was on seat, they all went dumb, despite enquiries by the media and other stakeholders.

Worried by the long silence, opposition party, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) was unrelenting, insisting that the people of Ondo state deserve to know what has befallen their governor.

The statement, signed by the Chairman, Stephen Adewale, states that “Ondo State and its 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 opposition party, in one of its statements wrote “The Social Democratic Party (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.

After the Governor’s letter to the Assembly, his wife, Betty was first to speak, after she had posted a video in which the husband was dancing to Aiyefele’s  music to dissuade the mind of the people about his state of health.

The Commissioner for information followed with a statement that the Governor’s absence has not slowed down day to day running of government as functions were delegated to officials.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju in a statement stated that “The attention of Ondo State Government has been drawn to a skewed report in an online newspaper, on the purported split in the Cabinet of the Ondo State Government.

“This malicious report toes the same insidious path of perfidy already trodden by certain purveyors of speculatory hagiography designed to mislead unsuspecting members of the public. Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, is not incapacitated. The finality with which the report concluded on his state of health is most unfortunate.

“Another online medium had peddled the wicked lie on the demise of the Governor in Germany, when he was resting in Ibadan. The Cabinet cannot be “disunited” when directives emanate from the office of the Governor.

“There is no ambiguity in that respect. Members of the public are enjoined to disregard the wicked rumour of incapacitation. We reiterate that the Governor has been discharging the functions of his office effectively. Governance requires collectivity.

No doubt, events in the State have slowed down as a result of Mr Governor’s absence. The State is rarely in the News again, except report of abduction of an Islamic Cleric, inauguration of the Assembly and strike by workers of the state owned polytechnic, Owo over unpaid 13 months salaries.

Aside his statement on the day of inauguration of Bola Tinubu as President, Aketi, as he is fondly called, has not been heard taking position on national issues.  Just few days ago, there was an attempt to play up the planned celebration of 70th birthday of his wife. This is coming after his son, Babajide, an appointee in Government was seen in Abuja with President Tinubu.