Aiyedatiwa Resumes as Ondo’s Acting Governor, Sues for Calm

Fidelis David in Akure

Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday, formally resumed duty as acting governor following medical leave by his principal, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and therefore sued for calm, as concerns over the governor’s health mounted.

Aiyedatiwa resumed office a day after the State House of Assembly confirmed receiving the letter of medical leave from the governor, which directed his deputy to act as the governor while away.

Speaker of the state Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, had explained that the governor had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from June 7, 2023 to July 6, 2023.

In his message to the people of the state after resuming duty, Aiyedatiwa said there was no cause for alarm, stressing that he was 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, SAN, CON, 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, SAN, CON, 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.

“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 States 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,” he said, assuring the people that the state government would continue to uphold and pursue the constitutional primary responsibility of government to secure the lives and property of the people of the State.