The political situation in Ondo, the Sunshine State, has taken a different dimension, following a lawyer’s demand on the State House of Assembly to remove absentee Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from office.
Allen Sowore, a right activist , in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, urged the Assembly to invoke the ‘doctrine of necessity’ to remove the governor from office so that the people of the state can enjoy good governance.
The doctrine was adopted by the National Assembly on February 9, 2010 to install former Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, as Acting President after his boss, Umar Yar’adua had been away from presidential duties beyond the Constitutionally provided period.
Governor Akeredolu is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.
Sowore believes what is currently happening in the state is similar to what transpired under the Yar’adua administration, the solution, he said should not be different.
Recall that the governor had written the State Assembly that he was handing over power to his Deputy, Lucky Ayedatiwa, while traveling abroad for medical purpose some months ago.
He hurried backed to the country recently following rumour that his deputy was trying to snatch power from him due to his illness.
Ayedatiwa is now facing impeachment from the Assembly on the allegation that he mismanaged the finances of the state while his boss travelled abroad to take care of himself.
Following the governor’s return, sources said he had relocated to Ibadan, Oyo state, from where his aides claimed he’s steering the affairs of the state.
But Sowore said Governor Akeredolu cannot be running the state by correspondence, because he’s no longer resident in the state where he’s needed by his people.
He should be removed in line with the Constitution, he said.
In the statement titled ” Ondo Political Quagmire: Time To Invoke Doctrine Of Necessity Is Now,” Sowore said: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and following due process, procedure, and proceedings, it is evident that the covert plot by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to impeach his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has failed woefully.”
‘It is no secret that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been absent and unavailable to perform his duties since 3rd April 2023, leaving the state without governance and direction. His recent staged return from Germany and the subsequent submission of a resumption letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly have exposed the challenges the cabal has been hiding from the people. Since this orchestrated return, no one in the state has seen or heard from the governor.
“Hence, it is imperative and patriotic for the State House of Assembly to utilise and invoke the various provisions in the Constitution.”
Meanwhile, those familiar with what is happening in the state told the magazine that some vested interest have hijacked power since the governor became indisposed, with the next governorship election clearly their target.
