Ondo: SDP Asks  Gov Akeredolu To Hand Over Duties To Deputy

By Ayodele Oni

After condemning the manner in which Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu was taken out of the State to an unknown place, allegedly over alleged failing health, the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) has demanded for a transfer of power to the Deputy as stipulated by Constitution.

SDP said in a statement on Thursday that the current vacuum caused by the Governor’s absence is unnecessary if the constitutionally required step is taken.

The statement, signed by the chairman, Stephen Adewale stated: “Ondo State and her 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 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.

“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.

“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.”

While confirming the Governor’s present state of health in a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju declared that: “Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to State matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary. We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.”