Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu yesterday transmitted power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, after announcing that he was going on medical vacation.
The medical leave, which commences today, is to enable him do a follow up on his medical treatment, which took him to Germany in August.
In the governor’s absence, Aiyedatiwa will act as governor, following the transmission of a letter to the House of Assembly by Akeredolu, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution.
Before leaving on his first medial leave in Germany, Akeredolu transmitted power to his deputy. He took it back when he returned on September 7.
But he has been staying in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. His absence in Akure generated controversy leading to power struggle in the state.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had to broker peace between the feuding parties at a parley in Aso Villa, Abuja, where they subscribed to some resolutions.
A statement by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the governor would prioritise his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming official duties.
It said a formal letter on the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Constitution would be transmitted to the House of Assembly.
The statement reads,
“In the absence of Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, will assume the responsibilities of the governor in acting capacity.
“Governor Akeredolu expresses his gratitude for the unwavering support and affection of the people of Ondo State. He assures them that his administration remains committed to the path of progress and prosperity for the people.
“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a widely respected Nigerian, Governor Akeredolu has consistently delegated power to his deputy during his annual vacations. This practice was observed on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, when he embarked on previous vacations.”
However, a group, ‘Acts For Positive Transformation Initiatives’ rejected the transmission of a letter signed by the governor to the House of Assembly.
The group said a doctrine of necessity should be adopted, alleging that Akeredolu is not fit to sign any letter at the moment.
The Head, Directorate of Research and Strategy of the group, Kolawole Johnson, said in a statement that accepting a letter transferring power to the deputy governor would amount to conferring legitimacy on the many letters with forged signature circulating in the state.
He said a letter purportedly signed by the ailing governor will make it difficult to prosecute all those responsible for forged letters in the ministries.
The statement partly reads,
“The president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, intervened, once again, in the current political impasse in Ondo State and spoke decisively on the part of the provision of the law by ordering the immediate emergence of the Deputy Governor as the Acting Governor.
“We note that the transfer of power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity, pending the return of the governor to his duty post is the constitutional and right thing to do.
“However, the point of disagreement here is the President’s acceptance of Babajide Akeredolu’s plea for a letter from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu transmitting power to his deputy, in place of the Doctrine of Necessity earlier directed.
“The President is aware that our organisation is already working with relevant agencies on the criminal allegation of large-scale forgery of Governor Akeredolu’s signature on account of his unfortunate ill health at the moment.
“The danger looming is that if a forged signature is allowed as the premise for transmission of power to Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, it will be difficult to reject the same forged signature on other documents that are currently in our possession and many more in different government agencies across the state.
“There cannot be a rejection of the signature in some instances and acceptance of the same in other instances.
“We, however, do know that the President is fully in the know of Governor Akeredolu’s state of health at the moment, his level of lucidity, and his likely inability to sign any letter.
“It’s our concern that any attempt to accept a forged letter by the House of Assembly which will transfer power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity will confer some sort of legitimacy on the forgery already perpetrated which will make it difficult for the forgers to face the full wrath of the law in the fullness of time as we are determined to bring perpetrators to face the law.
“In this circumstance, we suggest an electronic signature be used in place, or a law enforcement officer be sent alongside the Governor’s son to sign the letter in full glare of the camera.
“We advise that the right thing be done in making the deputy governor the acting governor while we pray for the full recuperation of the governor”.
