Weeks After Tinubu Intervened, Akeredolu Transfers Power to Aiyedatiwa, Commences Another Medical Leave

•Ondo community drags governor, others to court over hqrts for new LCDA

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Fidelis David in Akure

A few weeks after President Bola Tinubu intervened in the Ondo State crisis, there seemed to be some reprieve as Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, transferred power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, preparatory to the commencement of another round of medical leave today.

This was, as Ode Aye, an agrarian community in the state, yesterday, dragged Akeredolu, and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, to the state High Court over the siting of headquarters of the Ikale North Local Council Development Area in Igbotako instead of Ode Aye.

The governor had returned from Germany on September 7,2023, after a three-month medical leave and had since remained in his private residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he had been performing his official duties, a move that had generated a lot of criticisms and uproar.

But a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, revealed that a formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution would be transmitted to the House of Assembly.

It emphasised that in the absence of Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa, would assume the responsibilities of the Governor in acting capacity.

“During his medical leave, Governor Akeredolu will prioritise his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming his official duties.

“Governor Akeredolu expresses his gratitude for the unwavering support and affection of the people of Ondo State. He assures them that his administration remains committed to the path of progress and prosperity for the people.

“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a widely respected Nigerian, Governor Akeredolu has consistently delegated power to his deputy during his annual vacations.

“This practice was observed on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, when he embarked on previous vacations,” the statement added.

About two weeks ago, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kayode Ajulo, alleged that some government officials in Ondo were forging the signature of Akeredolu on documents.

In an interview on Arise TV, Ajulo alleged that the absence of Akeredolu since June 2023 had created a huge vacuum in the state.

Also, last Thursday, the Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Razaq Obe, wrote to the Deputy Governor, alleging forgery of Akeredolu’s signature on official documents.

Obe, in a letter dated December 7, 2023 confirmed that the irregularities in the signature of his principal.

However, to properly take care of his health, Akeredolu, would in a few days, embark on another medical vacation toGermany.

The governor, who is battling an undisclosed ailment, was away for the first medical leave between June and August toGermany.

He returned to Nigeria shortly after the leave expired in September and announced his resumption of duties but failed to show up at the Government House, Alagbaka, Akure.

The ailing governor stayed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital from where he was purportedly governing the state.

This development had prompted the people of the state and beyond to ask about his whereabouts.

While this was going on, the state witnessed political and leadership crises, as members of the state House of Assembly ignored him, and went after Aiyedatiwa, whom they wanted to impeach for fear of taking over from his boss.

This further worsened the crisis in the state. So bad was the situation that the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and appealed to the gladiators to cease fire.

Ondo Community Drags Akeredolu, Others to Court Over Location of New LCDA Hqrts

Ode Aye, an agrarian community in Ondo State, has dragged Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, to the state High Court sitting in Akure over the siting of headquarters of the Ikale North Local Council Development Area in Igbotako instead of Ode Aye.

Amid Protests and rejection, Akeredolu had on September 8, 2023, assented to the bill creating 33 local council development areas (LCDAs) in the state, a day after his return from Germany, where he went for a 3-month medical leave.

This came after the assembly had passed the bill for the creation of the 33 additional councils on August 15.

However, not satisfied with the government’s decision, the community, through their lawyer  rejected the siting of the headquarters of the new LCDA at Igbotako, maintaining that undue political manipulation and chicanery were allowed to prevail over objectivity and rationality in the creation of the LCDA.

Joined as defendants in the matter were the governor, the Speaker of the Assembly and Attorney General of the state.