Fidelis David reports about political developments in the Sunshine state as Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, writes the state House of Assembly, about his intention to travel abroad for medical treatment and hand over to the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to act in his stead, as demanded by the constitution.
Public uproar in recent weeks had been further accentuated over the absence of the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu or any representative of the state government at the two meetings President Bola Tinubu held with governors in the country. The second meeting held last week had two governors represented by their deputies but THISDAY observed that neither Akeredolu nor his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa attended the meeting.
However, the State House of Assembly last Tuesday confirmed that it received the letter of medical leave from Governor.
Speaker of the House, Hon Olamide Oladiji, explained that the governor had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from June 7, 2023 to July 6, 2023.
According to the letter, read by the Speaker, “The leave, which commenced on 7th of June, extends to 6th July, 2023 due to the public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir (28th and 29th, June, 2023).”
Oladiji explained that the Governor had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from 7th of June,2023 to 6th July, 2023.
The Speaker noted that the governor, who had directed his deputy, Aiyedatiwa, to act as the governor while away, further assured of his resumption on the 6th of July, 2023.
Akeredolu was seen briefly in public shortly after he returned to the state from his 15-working days annual leave on May 1, but his ill-health continued to generate anxiety.
Akeredolu’s Rumoured Death
Penultimate week, there was anxiety in Ondo and Nigeria as a whole after it was rumoured that Akeredolu had passed on. It was reported that his health had deteriorated and he needed “serious prayers”.
Another report claimed that the 66-year-old governor was scheduled to be flown out of Nigeria for treatment and to prevent pictures of the governor’s new but pathetic looks from getting out, the family asked security agents and a few politicians around him to put off their mobile phones.
Also, the proclamation of the 10th state Assembly was done on behalf of Akeredolu by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Benjamin Jayeola, fueling the speculation that the governor was critically ill.
Akeredolu was reported to have been treating an ailment said to be blood cancer (leukemia), a cancer of the blood caused by a rise in the number of white blood cells in the body. It is a cancer of blood-forming tissues that hinders the body’s ability to fight infections.
Albeit, that was not the first time to hear about the governor’s rumoured death.
In January, 2023, the governor was speculated to have been bedridden but his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, had said then that Akeredolu was not faced with any life-threatening illness that would have encouraged any alleged conspiracy in his administration
Also, in April, 2022, there was widespread rumour that the former NBA president who left the state for Germany on a 14-day vacation had died in a German hospital.
Before his arrival to the country, the state government had on April 7, 2022, clarified that Akeredolu was not hospitalised in Germany or anywhere, and had said the rumours were mere wishes of failed politicians who now carry the burden of uncanny distrust and embedded treachery.
In order to discredit the rumour, Akeredolu after arriving Nigeria, appeared in a short video, which went viral, singing and dancing to prove that he was hale and hearty.
PDP, SDP and the Crisis Over Handing over
Before the latest handing over to his Deputy, the state chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its criticism called for the resignation of the governor.
According to the party, in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, the state should not be grounded because of the governor’s health conditions.
PDP also challenged the state government and handlers of the governor to prove that Akeredolu is alive and shod stop taking people of the state for granted.
“Since Sahara Reporters reported that the governor is bedridden and incapacitated, Akeredolu’s handlers responded by fueling public anxiety and suspicion, instead of telling the State, where exactly he is, or getting him to address Ondo State, from wherever he is on planet earth.
When Akeredolu did not return to his duty post after his celebrated annual leave in March this year, tongues started wagging.
At the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, Akeredolu was conspicuously absent.
“The deafening silence from government information machinery suddenly saturated social media space with old videos of Akeredolu dancing and singing praises.
On the eve of the inauguration of 10th Ondo State House of Assembly, there were reports of an ‘Owo cabal’ led by Akeredolu’s heir apparent, Babajide mobilising members-elect to make a legislator from Owo Speaker, as a fall back position to retain the leadership of the state in Owo, in the event of the worst happening, after impeaching the incumbent Deputy Governor.
“These speculations almost put the state on edge until this morning when the Ondo State House of Assembly retained the present power structure of Speakership of the Assembly in Ondo Central Senatorial District. If Akeredolu’s handlers had done the needful, the state would have been spared the unnecessary anxiety.
“As mortals, any human being can fall sick whether in public office or private life.
Rotimi Akeredolu is employed by the people of Ondo State, maintained with taxpayers’ money. So, it is criminal and a great disservice to keep mum over his health status and his whereabouts”, the party stressed.
The party also demanded that, those hiding the governor should tell the people where he is to save the state from speculation.
“In 2010, when then-President Umar Yar’Adua was incapacitated due to ill health, Akeredolu was one of the most vociferous voices, calling for his resignation and allowing the then Vice-President to take over.
If for whatever reason, Akeredolu can no longer discharge his official responsibilities, the most reasonable thing to do is to hand over to the Deputy Governor as required by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“Our party joins millions of Ondo State people to pray for Akeredolu’s quick recovery, but nobody should play politics with his ill-health. Nobody should ground the state beyond its present state. Let Akeredolu resign, if he is no longer fit to be governor”, the PDP added.
Also, the Social Democratic Paty (SDP) in the state reacted to the issue in a statement issued by its chairman, Stephen Adewale, saying, “being a public officer, the governor’s health record should not be shrouded in secrecy”.
No Cause for Alarm
However, in a bid to douse the tension and anxiety, the state government denied the rumour of his death.
A video clip was released showing Akeredolu in a home setting watching the English FA Cup final match between Manchester City and Manchester United.
Also, the state commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Ademola-Olateju in a statement she personally signed, described as “handiwork of mischief makers”, the rumours that Akeredolu is dead.
The Commissioner said the governor was very much alive, urging the people of the state and the country to ignore rumour about Akeredolu’s death
The statement reads: “We have been inundated with calls and messages concerning the state of health of the Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. We had chosen to ignore this wicked fabrication until it appeared that certain persons seek to draw political mileage from the disinformation.
“Though the Governor has been indisposed for sometime but he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary. We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive”, she stressed.
The commissioner also denied allegation that the situation has caused division within the cabinet, with some members of the state executive council taking sides with the deputy governor while others have stuck to their conviction that the governor will recover from whatever ailment he is suffering from.
Alleged Denial of Aiyedatiwa to Act as Acting Governor
Another fascinating angle about the trajectory is the opposition of some executive members to a transfer of power to the deputy governor as prescribed by the constitution when the governor is away for a long period.
This, some people believe led to the campaign against the deputy governor with reports suddenly appearing that he was fond of beating up his wife, Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa.
Some also believe that the story was allegedly planted to cut the wings and alleged desperation of the Deputy Governor who is said to be eyeing the 2024 Governorship election in the state.
A group, under the auspices of the Society for Women Empowerment, had alleged that Ayedatiwa had physically assaulted his wife twice in four months which, according to it, was against the ethics of his office.
However, the deputy governor in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Kenneth Odusola, said he had never raised his hand to beat his wife since they got married.
Aiyedatiwa, who described the women’s group as faceless, said the media report that he engaged in domestic abuse and assault on his wife was baseless and false.
Will there be Limitation to the Power of Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor?
Be that as it may, Governor Akeredolu, has handed over to Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor but the questions begging for answer in the mind of Nigerians is would there be a limitation to the power of Aiyedatiwa as Acting Governor? Will he be allowed to exercise necessary powers? Does the allegation of abuse of his wife has anything to do with the crisis of handing over?
The Acting Governor in a statement personally signed by him last Wednesday, has, however, said there is no cause for alarm, stressing that he is focused and committed to the delivery of dividends of good governance to all.
“On behalf of the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, I note the concerns of our people about governance in Ondo State and all rumours and insinuations making the rounds in the State. Let me aver without mincing words that rumours about the disruption of government activities are misplaced and only arose as a result of impatience and lack of proper understanding of the running of the machinery of government.
“In any case, such misrepresentations and apparently baseless allusions are to be expected when political gladiators by their activities in the build up to party primaries and gubernatorial elections in any state try to heat up the polity. Ondo State cannot definitely be an exception.
“It is, therefore, important to assure our people that governance is on course in the State. Mr Governor has laid a solid foundation for one administration in the State and there is, undoubtedly, no politically debilitating division in the government. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, my boss, is a revered democrat who has always demonstrated his respect for the Rule of Law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended).
“It should be recalled that by his usual practice, he has always transmitted power to the Deputy Governor whenever he proceeds on annual vacation. This is what he has again re-enacted by transmitting power to proceed on a medical vacation. He is human like all of us. Whenever the need arises, everyone finds time to rest and take care of their health when medically challenged”.
According to Aiyedatiwa, “as we are also aware that the 10th House of Assembly of the State was recently inaugurated. Though currently on recess, the House being led by the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, will function in line with its constitutional mandate upon resumption. The State Executive Council and the Parliament will continue to enjoy mutually beneficial relationship in our avowed duties to move the State forward.
“We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine State not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s quick recovery, so that he can resume duty after his medical vacation, to continue with his good works for the betterment of Ondo State in particular and Nigeria at large.
“ I cannot but enjoin the political class to be guided by good conscience in the pursuit of ambition in order to sustain the atmosphere of peace and unfettered development that we have been witnessing in our dear State in the last six years. Service to our people should, consequently, be the ultimate goal of our politicking. The sustained welfare of our people, the success of our administration and the victory of our great party in successive elections should, therefore, be our guiding principles. Our administration shall neither be deterred nor distracted”, the Acting Governor asserted. He assured that the State Government will continue to uphold and pursue the constitutional primary responsibility of government to secure the lives and property of the people of the State.
