A socio-political group, the Ondo Redemption Front (ORF), expressed dissatisfaction on Monday with the continued absence of the state Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, in the state after his return from medical treatment in Germany.
The group condemned the relocation of the state machinery to Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, after the governor’s return from his medical vacation in Germany.
They claimed that Akeredolu’s absence was responsible for the collapse of governance in the state.
During a press conference in Akure, the chairman of the group, Mr Ayodeji Ologun, and his co-chairman, Mr Olufemi Lawson Kayode, said that relocating the government’s machinery to Ibadan indicates that some individuals have seized control of the government due to the governor’s health condition.
The group also criticised the Ondo State House of Assembly for overlooking Akeredolu’s continued stay in Ibadan, emphasising that it is the lawmakers’ duty to question the governor’s refusal to resume his duties.
Ologun mentioned that government officials and lawmakers have turned Ibadan into a seat of power for Ondo State, even signing documents at the governor’s residence in Ibadan.
He specifically lambasted the members of the state House of Assembly for inciting violence and anarchy over the impeachment process initiated against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The group’s chairman criticised the political class for neglecting their primary duties, stating that they have failed to address the needs of the people, particularly regarding the state of roads and flooding in the riverine areas of the state.
The group stated, “While Akeredolu returned to the country for over two weeks, he has not been seen in the state, instead hiding in Ibadan and operating through proxies, causing governance in the state to be carried out in secrecy.
This situation is causing serious apprehension in the state.”
The group noted that the state was paralysed during Akeredolu’s absence, and the governor was reluctant to transmit power to his deputy.
They highlighted, “For the past six months or so, the state has been facing leadership challenges due to the unfortunate ill health of the Governor, leading to his medical trip abroad.
Various stakeholders had to intervene to persuade Akeredolu to transmit power to his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, in line with the 1999 constitution, to act as the Governor while he was away.”
“It is essential to emphasise that throughout Akeredolu’s medical trip abroad, governance in Ondo State became impossible due to a group of individuals who constituted themselves into a cabal, claiming to defend the ailing governor’s interests.
This process incapacitated Aiyedatiwa from acting as Governor, ultimately resulting in the collapse of governance in Ondo State.”
“The Ondo State House of Assembly has exacerbated the situation by instigating violence, anarchy, and orchestrating the breakdown of law and order through an unjustified and unwarranted impeachment process against the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
This is at the expense of peace, stability, and the welfare of the people of Ondo State.”
“As a group, we strongly believe that the focus of the political class in Ondo State should be the delivery of good governance, prioritising the interests of the people.
Our people have been neglected over time, with no positive impact on their daily lives.”
Addressing the feud between Akeredolu and his deputy, “While we do not represent the embattled deputy governor, we strongly warn the state House of Assembly to refrain from the whims and caprices of those who are determined to hold the state hostage without the people’s mandate.”
“We are aware that this is not about accountability, as the house wants us to believe, but rather a vendetta by a class of crass opportunists who have unfettered access to the state’s resources due to the governor’s incapacity.”
“In view of the above and considering Section 11(1)(4)(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we implore the National Assembly to intervene and call the Ondo State House of Assembly to order, prioritising the interests of the people of the state and the country at large.”
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