By Ayo Yusuf
Three months after he traveled abroad for medical treatment, Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, today officially resumed duty.
In a letter written to the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Akerodolu expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their good wishes.
The Speaker of the House, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, told members that the governor had forwarded a letter to the parliament informing it of his resumption from medical vacation and his resumption today.
Mr. Oladiji said the governor’s action was in line with Section 190(1)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The Speaker said by implication Mr. Akerodolu officially resumed duty today, Friday, 8th September, 2023.
He expressed appreciation to God for bringing the governor back home safely and said the entire people of Ondo State were glad to see him back in office.
It would be recalled that Mr. Akeredolu embarked on a 21-day leave on June 7 and was expected to return on July 6.
In a letter dated June 5, 2023, he informed the Assembly that he was proceeding on medical leave and would be resuming on July 6, 2023.
Receiving the letter on behalf of other lawmakers, the Speaker, said the governor’s action was in line with section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended).
He said the governor was “following the doctor’s advice on the need to take adequate rest after recuperating.”
The speaker said the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, would act as governor “until there is a written declaration to the contrary.”
However, in July when Mr Akerodolu was expected to return, Speaker Oladiji announced that the governor had forwarded a letter to the assembly seeking an extension of his leave.
“Following doctor’s advice on the need to take adequate rest after recuperating, Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON, has forwarded the letter of extension on medical leave to the Ondo State House of Assembly,” Mr Oladiji said in a statement.
Mr Akeredolu, finally returned to the country from his medical vacation in Germany two days ago but had to stay over in his Ibadan residence.
The Ondo State Majority Leader, Mr Wole Ogunmolasuyi, who confirmed that earlier said, “We thank God the governor has returned to the country. He landed in Abuja and moved straight to Ibadan.”
