Ondo PDP Youth Wing Wants Panel to Ascertain Akeredolu’s Medical Status

Fidelis  David in  Akure

Following the expiration of the 24 hours ultimatum given to the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to address the people of the state and a three-day ultimatum to return to the state or resign his position, the Youth Wing of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state has written to the state House of Assembly to invoke Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended on the governor.

The PDP had on Monday staged a protest demanding the whereabouts of Governor Akeredolu who returned to the country on September 7 after his three months medical leave in Germany, but the Zonal Youth Leader of the APC, Kolade Paff Lawal swiftly said the governor has not breached any law by working from his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

However, following the expiration of the ultimatum, the PDP youth group at a press conference held at the party secretariat in Akure yesterday, said the continued stay of the governor in his Ibadan residence, instead of Ondo State where he was elected to govern shows that he’s not medically fit. 

Mr. Akintade Tayo, who spoke on behalf of the youth called on the State Assembly to set up a Medical Panel to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.

His words: “You are aware we started this ‘Akeredolu Must Resume or Resign’ struggle on Monday where we gave him a three-day ultimatum to resume or resign but up till now, we are yet to see him. Therefore, we’ve written to the state assembly to invoke Section 189(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which states that:

“The medical panel to which this section relates shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State, and shall comprise five medical practitioners in Nigeria (a) one of whom shall be the personal physician of the holder of the office concerned; and (b) four other medical practitioners who have, in the opinion of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, attained a high degree of eminence in the field of medicine relative to the nature of the examination to be conducted in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section, which provides a framework for addressing situations where a Governor is unable to discharge the functions of the office due to health-related reasons be initiated by the State Legislative Arm.

“It is crucial that the House of Assembly, in the interest of our state and its citizens, upholds these constitutional provisions to ensure the continued and effective functioning of government, and if the House of Assembly fails in this regard, we won’t hesitate to – explore other legitimate constitutional means to press our demands.

Also speaking, the State Secretary of the party, Mr. Olujimi Oluseye, said given the critical nature of the responsibilities vested in the governor, the potential implications on the state’s governance during a time of health-related incapacity, and how details of the health condition of Akeredolu has been deliberately shrouded in secrecy, leaving the people with no information, it is important that a thorough assessment of the governor’s state of health is undertaken to determine the appropriate course of action.