Excitement in Ondo as  Akeredolu Returns from Medical Leave

Fidelis David in Akure

There is a euphoria of joy among cabinet members and residents of Ondo State as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, returned to the country from his three months medical leave.
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 generated lots of anxiety.

The governor had embarked on a 21-day medical leave on June 7 and  was expected to return home on July 6, 2023  to start performing his constitutional duties after he had written to the state legislature in line with constitutional provisions to proceed on medical leave and  handed over power to his deputy, Mr Lucky Ayeditawa to act in his stead, as demanded by the constitution.
But on the expiration of the vacation, the state Assembly received yet another letter from the governor requesting the extension of his medical leave but this time, a date of return was not included in the letter.

In an extension letter read by the Speaker of the State House, Oladiji Olamide, hesaid the governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) while his deputy would continue to act as governor until there was a written declaration to the contrary.
However, yesterday,  according to a top source within the state, the governor’s close aides had welcomed him to Ibadan, Oyo State, where he’s expected to stay for a few days, and is expected to resume at his desk soon.

“Yes, Akeredolu is back to the country. His health has significantly improved and this prompted his  return to the country and he is in high spirits and eager to resume his duties as soon as possible,” the source said.
Also, his wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, released a photograph of the  governor  captioned “Homebound”, with excitement emojis on his verified social media handles.

Recently, a 30-second video clip of the governor conversing on Owo dialect with the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi,who visited him in Germany, was circulated to calm concerned citizens but the lawmaker came under fire from Nigerians including an Ondo-born senior lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, who said the clip was a violation of the privacy of the governor as it portrayed him in a vulnerable state.
However, the First Lady, after some hours released a photograph of the recuperating Akeredolu captioned: “Aketi dey kampe! Victory for us!,” igniting a wave of optimism among residents, who eagerly anticipated his return.

Two weeks ago, the first lady, while addressing an audience at the opening of the 2023 BEMORE summer boot camp for 300 young girls in the state confirmed that her husband would soon return from medical vacation.
Mrs. Akeredolu, who quoted a line from R. Kelly’s song, “The storm is over now and we are seeing the sunshine,” said, “All will end in praise,” making it the latest of the assurances that the governor was getting better and would soon return to the country.

Besides, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor,  Mr Richard Olatunde, a few days ago stated that the governor was still recuperating in a hospital in Germany.
This came after the governor appeared in a viral video, walking in an environment that looked like an airport, as a helicopter was seen behind him, giving the impression that he had returned from his medical leave abroad.

But reacting to the viral video in a statement, the CPS said the video was not recent as it was recorded during the elections campaign, adding that Akeredolu was eagerly looking forward to reuniting with the people of the state.
Akeredolu was alleged to have been treating cancer of the blood (leukemia),  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.