Akeredolu Back from Medical Leave, Meets Stakeholders in Ibadan

Fidelis David writes that Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at the weekend resumed official duties after returning from Germany where he went for medical vacation.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state last Friday formally handed over his resumption letter to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Olamide Oladiji, and also sent a copy to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The governor  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 former President of the Nigeria Bar Association and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo state was reported to have battled with 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.

In other words, it is a cancer of blood-forming tissues that hinders the body’s ability to fight infections. Although, some residents of the state attributed his illness to spiritual attack.

Recall that 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.

However 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.

An extension letter read on behalf of other lawmakers by the Speaker of the State House, Hon Oladiji, said the Governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) while the Deputy Governor would continue to act as governor until there was a written declaration to the contrary.

However, last Thursday, Governor Akeredolu returned to the country and upon his return, he convened a meeting with key stakeholders from Ondo State in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where he landed.

During the meeting, Governor Akeredolu expressed optimism that he will be alive to complete his full tenure in office.

He said: “I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today. God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory.

“I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much. God has done what  majority of our people wanted. Majority of our people here knelt down and prayed for our return, and we have returned.

“So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with House of Assembly members here. We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete  my full tenure in office. I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption.”

The Speaker, speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, expressed gratitude for the safe return of the Governor, stating that the Governor’s return to the country is a prayer answered.

Akeredolu, while meeting with members of the State Executive Council, informed them that he had presented his letter of resumption to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

According to him: “We are now back, and we give God all the glory. I have to let members of the House of Assembly know first that we have returned. As of today, I’m back as Governor of Ondo State. We thank God that I am alive and here. It’s your prayers that have kept us here. The office of the Governor has resumed full work.”

Akeredolu also held meetings with members of the National Assembly, including Senator representing Ondo North, Senator Jide Ipinsagba; members of the House of Representatives representing Owo/Ose, Hon. Timehin Adelegbe; Ilaje/Ese-Odo, Hon. Donald Ojogo, Idanre/Ifedore, Hon. Festus Akingbaso; Okitipupa/Irele, Hon. Jimi Odimayo and Akoko South West/South East, Hon. Gboyega Adefarati.

He described the outpour of love wrapped in prayers, kind words, cheering messages, affectionate support as well as countless display of varied forms of brotherliness during his recovery process as heart-lifting.

The governor thanked the people of Ondo State for their ceaseless prayers and support during his recovery process, assuring the people of his administration’s unwavering commitment to the progress and development of the state.

Akeredolu’s Alleged Relocation of Government to Ibadan

Meanwhile, the Ondo chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has knocked the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, for resuming his official duties in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

A statement made available to journalists by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kennedy Peretei titled: “Akeredolu Relocates Government to Ibadan” alleged that the governor has continued his usual lack of respect for the people of Ondo State by practically relocating his government and State Assembly to his residence in Ibadan.

“Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, Governor of Ondo State has continued in his usual lack of respect for the people of Ondo State by practically relocating his government and State Assembly to his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“On 6th June, 2023 Akeredolu wrote to the Ondo State House of Assembly about his medical vacation abroad amid rumours that he was incapacitated. A medical leave that has taken three clear months.

“Mrs Betty Akeredolu, the Governor’s wife shut down the social media by posting her husband’s photo in an aircraft with the caption “Homebound” yesterday. There was no official release from Akeredolu’s media handlers, a responsibility Betty has since assumed”.

The party alleged that while Akeredolu was in Germany, attending to his health, Ondo State suffered multidimensional setbacks, from in-fighting to huge sums of money being siphoned from the state treasury as medical expenses.

PDP said it expected that, since Akeredolu is back in Nigeria, his first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties, instead, he headed for Ibadan and allegedly instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assembly men to join him.

“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated”,  the PDP added.

Responding, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress decried the allegations of the PDP, that the state suffered a multilateral setback since the governor left for medical vacation.

APC State Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otaloro, said the lies by the PDP came to the ruling party as a shock, stating that “He only left Germany for Nigeria after his medical treatment in the country, where would he has gone if not his house?”

Otaloro who berated the PDP said the governor duly and constitutionally transferred power to his deputy as Acting Governor as well as taking medical leave through a letter submitted to the State House of Assembly before embarking on medical vacation to Germany.

The statement added that the Acting Governor who took over the governance of the state made a commendable progress.

“Even though the party and the people of the state missed his absence, there has not been vacuum in government and no inner fighting within the cabinet members as claimed by the PDP since he left.

“We refuted the lies by the PDP, the cabinet is intact there is nothing to suggest an infighting within the rank of the cabinet of Akeredolu-led government. The governor has just returned to the country and he can afford to live anywhere as much as he’s still recuperating.

“Now that he has returned to the country, are they (PDP) wary that he’s  back as governor of the state? Akeredolu is not just the governor of the APC, he is the governor of the state, so we expect the PDP to collaborate and show some empathy towards him instead of crucifying him”.

By and large, the return of Akeredolu will change the political atmosphere in Ondo State ahead of the 2024 governorship election. Expectedly, it will also lead to delivering impactful projects and innovative initiatives, ultimately advancing the development of the Sunshine State.