By Ayo Yusuf
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State who officially resumed work Friday, after three months of medical vacation abroad, has sparked controversy with his decision to remain in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Although no reason was given for the governor’s reluctance to return to Ondo State, sources said he was going to be operating from his Ibadan home for the time being.
The entire Ondo State Executive Council, party chieftains and members of the House of Assembly were in the Oyo State capital over the weekend to meet with the governor at his residence.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Ondo State also went to see him there where he is apparently still recuperating in what has now become a temporary government house.
So far, members of the opposition have criticized the governor’s decision to remain in Ibadan rather than return immediately to Akure, the Ondo State capital and accused him of showing disrespect for the people who voted him into power and prayed for his recovery.
Mr. Akeredolu who returned to Nigeria on Thursday after a three-month medical leave in Germany had forwarded his letter of resumption to the State House of Assembly stating that he resumed duties on Friday, 8th September, 2023, and thanked the people of the state for their prayers and support.
Recall that the governor had on 4th June, 2023, informed the state assembly that he was proceeding on a month’s medical leave only to send another letter on 4th July,2023 requesting an extension.
However, TheNewDiplomat gathered that since he returned three days ago the governor had still not stepped foot in Akure, the Ondo State Capital and was only formally able to hand over his letter of resumption when the Speaker and other stakeholders met with him in his Ibadan residence Saturday.
Mr. Akeredolu used the opportunity to thank Nigerians for their ceaseless prayers for his recovery and assured them that he would be alive to complete his full tenure in office.
The governor also gave a copy of his resumption letter to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was in attendance.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the governor was elated to be back. He quoted the governor to have said: “I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today. God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory.”
“I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much.
“God has done what the majority of our people wanted. The majority of our people here knelt down and prayed for our return, and we have returned.
“So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with House of Assembly members here. We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete for my full tenure in office.
“I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption.”
The Speaker, speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, expressed gratitude for the safe return of the Governor, stating that the Governor’s return to the country was a prayer answered.
Governor Akeredolu also met with members of his Executive Council in Ibadan and informed them that he had presented his letter of resumption to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.”
He thanked the members for their prayers and the good work they had carried out while he was away on medical vacation.
Further according to him, “We are now back, and we give God all the glory. I have to let members of the House of Assembly know first that we have returned.
“As of today, I’m back as Governor of Ondo State. We thank God that I am alive and here. It’s your prayers that have kept us here. The office of the governor has resumed full work.”
Mr. Akeredolu also held meetings with members of the National Assembly, including the Senator representing Ondo North, Senator Jide Ipinsagba; Members of the House of Representatives representing Owo/Ose, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe; Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Hon. Donald Ojogo, Idanre/Ifedore, Hon. Festus Akingbaso; Okitipupa/Irele, Hon. Jimi Odimayo and Akoko South West/South East, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati.”
The wife of the Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, also joined the governor to receive members of the Forum of Wives of Ondo State Officials, FOWOSO.
Stakeholders present at the meeting included members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide; Members of the State Executive Council, led by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; National Assembly members; led by Senator Jide Ipinsagba; and Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Working Committee, led by the Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin.
Others include Youth groups, led by the Ondo APC Youth Leader, Comrade Olawande Ayo Wisdom; Former Local Government Chairmen, led by Hon. Augustine Ogbesetore; and members of FOWOSO.
However these meetings in Ibadan have not gone well with some groups in Ondo State who lambast the governor for not making Akure his first port of call immediately after his return from Germany.
In a statement issued on Friday, Kennedy Peretei, PDP spokesperson in Ondo, said it was “absurd” for the governor to stay in Oyo instead of Ondo, adding that it was a sign of disrespect to the residents of the state who had been praying for his recovery.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter expected that, now that the Governor is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties,” the statement read.
It added: “Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assembly men to join him.
“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of the Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated.”
The opposition party alleged that Mr. Akeredolu was planning to relocate the Ondo government house to his residence in Oyo by not resuming duty in Ondo.
