By Ayo Yusuf
As a sign of their solidarity, four governors of the South-West States on Tuesday met with their ailing Ondo State counterpart, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The governors who visited chief Akeredolu are Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).
Although the purpose of the visit is not immediately known, speculations are that it might not be unconnected with the many troubles the Ondo State governor has been grappling with since his return in July after a three month hiatus.
Chief Akeredolu who has remained in Ibadan since he returned from his medical trip to Germany has been having a running battle with his deputy, Hön Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The All Progressives Congress recently waded into the crisis by setting up a panel headed by former Katsina State Governor, Hön. Aminu Masari, to reconcile the two parties.
However, whatever impact the panel has had appeared to be negligible as, yesterday, the State House of Assembly resumed it’s impeachment drive against Hön Aiyedatiwa by writing to the state Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to constitute a panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the deputy governor.
In a letter signed by the speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, the House said it was resuming the impeachment process following the expiration of the ex parte order of the Federal High Court.
The letter was titled, ‘Request to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, following the expiration of the interim injunction of the Federal High Court in suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023 by operation of the law.’
The letter read in part, “The Ondo State House of Assembly had on 3rd October 2023 requested your lordship to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct leveled by the House against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, in line with Section 188 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Concerns over the refusal of the Ondo Governor to relocate to Akure since his return had also led to calls for the governor’s impeachment by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
Over the weekend, the indigenous peoples of Ondo State under the aegis of the Ondo State Conscience Movement condemned a statement by lawyers to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu which said that the governor can rule from anywhere.
The group noted that the governor’s absence from office has continued to adversely affect the governance of Ondo State.
It added that the office and seat of the Governor, akin to the office of the President, has a physical location designated for the coordination of state affairs and the administration of its functions and powers.
Speaking through a statement, the group’s Chairperson, Shalom Olaseni said, “The Ondo State Conscience Movement feels compelled to respond to the recent statements made by the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, through his legal representatives. These statements raise a significant concern regarding the Governor’s approach to governance, particularly in the context of his absence from office.
“The assertion that the constitution permits Mr. Governor to govern the state from ‘anywhere’ is viewed by our movement as a facetious claim, one that challenges the principles of good governance and constitutional integrity.
“This statement was made in response to criticisms raised by our movement and other concerned citizens regarding Governor Akeredolu’s apparent abdication of his duties and his physical absence from the office. We must emphasize that this situation has had a significant impact on the effective functioning of our state. ”
The group noted that the governance of the state continues to be adversely affected by Akeredolu’s absence from office.
“As a result of his protracted medical hiatus abroad, vital decisions and actions that demanded his leadership and presence were dutifully undertaken successfully by the Deputy Governor, but his return and the transfer of power back to him has seen a stalemate in leadership at the executive level of the state. This is regrettable and thus inexcusable,” said Olaseni.
The group urged Akeredolu to promptly and fully resume his duties in his office.
According to them, “We believe that this is his responsibility to both himself and the people of Ondo state. Furthermore, should his health require further assessment or recuperation, we implore him to honourably transfer state power to his deputy governor to ensure the continuous and efficient administration of the state.
“It is our firm advice to the Governor to refrain from seeking statutory provisions that do not exist to justify his actions.
“We remain committed to the principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance. We will continue to advocate for the welfare and best interests of the people of Ondo State, as we believe these values should be at the core of any responsible government.”
Earlier, the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party had called on the state House of Assembly to begin the impeachment process against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for being absent from the state for a long time.
The opposition party alleged that the governor had committed an impeachable offence for staying out of the state for over six months, saying the need had arisen for the Assembly to commence the impeachment process against the governor.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Kennedy Peretei, in Akure, on Thursday.
Peretei alleged that Ondo State had been on auto-pilot for almost six months, grounding all activities of the government due to the ill health of the governor.
The statement read, “The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the governor of public sympathy.
“The Constitution envisaged that it is possible for a state governor to be ill or incapacitated as it is the case with Akeredolu now and therefore made safeguards. Section 193(2) states expressly that ‘the governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the deputy governor and all commissioners of the government of the state for the purposes of determining the general direction of policies of the state’ amongst other provisions.
“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be the reason an entire state must be brought to its knees. The PDP Ondo State chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke section 189(1) to cause a medical panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.
“Our party wishes to urge the governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.”
However, in a swift reaction, the House urged the people of the state to ignore the PDP because it lacked knowledge of the duties of a governor.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hön Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said Governor Akeredolu has been performing his constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the Constitution.
“The Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the state, including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of a backlog of salary arrears.
“The governor is doing his duties. Everything is going well in the state. We have met with the Governor and all those that want to meet with him. If the governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed all bills brought before him. What we know is that the PDP is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of the governor,” he said.
