Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, wrote to the state House of Assembly on Tuesday to inform them that he would be taking a 21-day medical leave.
The governor also informed the Assembly that he had delegated his duties to Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor, who will serve in that capacity while he is away.
Akeredolu, who is reportedly ill, has stayed away from public appearances recently, and his aides are handling the majority of his official tasks on his behalf.
While some other aides were occasionally tasked with filling in for the governor, it was the deputy governor who had been representing Akeredolu at many official and social events of the government.
Tuesday, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, the Speaker of the Assembly, acknowledged receiving the governor’s letter requesting medical leave.
From June 7, 2023 to July 6, 2023, the governor will be away for a 21-day medical treatment leave, the Speaker announced.
While Akeredolu is anticipated to return to the state on 6 July, the Speaker stated that in the event of the governor’s absence, the deputy governor would serve in that capacity.
Oladiji wished the governor a speedy recovery and a happy getaway while praising him as a supporter of the rule of law and a lover of peace.
Prior to this, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) demanded that the governor hand over control of the state to his deputy in order to run it effectively. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also expressed concern about the governor’s whereabouts.
As it continued to pray for Akeredolu’s recovery, the SDP said in a statement issued by its chairman, Stephen Adewale, that “the state should not and cannot be left without a constitutional head in an acting capacity while he (Akeredolu) is away attending to his health.”
The SDP noted that Akeredolu was not present or represented at President Bola Tinubu’s meetings with state governors who were elected on the APC platform over the course of the previous week.
“The topics of national importance were discussed at each of those meetings. The governors were almost all present, and those who couldn’t make it sent their deputies to represent them. Our dear Ondo State was the only state that was glaringly absent from the two meetings in terms of representation, the SDP lamented.
Similar to this, the PDP stated, “As mortals, any human being can fall ill, whether in public office or private life,” in a statement by its publicity secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei. Being silent about Rotimi Akeredolu’s whereabouts and state of health would be criminal and would do him and the people of Ondo State an enormous disservice.
The PDP responded to Akeredolu’s letter to the Assembly by saying it was the right move.
“Transmitting power to the deputy governor while the governor is away on medical leave is not particularly unusual. The media rumours and unease were made possible by the gap left by Akeredolu’s handlers.
“However, the information required to answer the question of Akeredolu’s location has been provided with the letter to the state Assembly. We believe that in government, the right thing must always be done, according to the statement.
