A civil society group under the umbrella of ‘Good Governance and the Fight Against Corruption,’ known as Acts for Positive Transformation Initiatives, has urged the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately designate the state deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedariwa, as the acting governor of the state.
The group stated that the call was necessary for the incumbent governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to attend to his lingering health challenges. This request was conveyed in a statement provided to the press in Abuja by its Head of the Directorate of Research and Strategy, Mr. Kolawole Johnson.
In the statement, the group emphasized that tolerating any form of criminality characterizing the ongoing leadership crisis in the state would be counterproductive for the state and the country.
Furthermore, the group explained that sweeping the alleged forgery cases involving the office of the ailing Governor, Akeredolu, under the carpet would not augur well for the state, as other government agencies in the state might have also carried out similar forgeries.
According to the group, ‘President Bola Ahmed Tinubu once again intervened in the current political impasse in Ondo State and decisively advocated for following the provisions of the law by ordering the immediate appointment of the deputy governor as the acting governor.’
‘We note that transferring power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity pending the governor’s return to his duty post is the constitutional and right thing to do. However, the point of disagreement here is the President’s acceptance of Babajide Akeredolu’s plea for a letter from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu transmitting power to his deputy, in place of the Doctrine of Necessity earlier directed.
The President is aware that our organisation is already working with relevant agencies on the criminal allegation of large-scale forgery of Governor Akeredolu’s signature due to his unfortunate ill health at the moment.
The looming danger is that if a forged signature is allowed as the basis for transmitting power to Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, it will be difficult to reject the same forged signature on other documents that are currently in our possession and many more in different government agencies across the state. There cannot be a rejection of the signature in some instances and an acceptance of the same in others.
However, we know that the President is fully aware of Governor Akeredolu’s state of health, his level of lucidity, and his likely inability to sign any letter.
We are concerned that any attempt to accept a forged letter to the House of Assembly, which will transfer power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity, will confer some sort of legitimacy on the forgery already perpetrated. This will make it difficult for the forgers to face the full wrath of the law in the fullness of time, as we are determined to bring perpetrators to justice.
In this circumstance, we suggest using an electronic signature or sending a law enforcement officer alongside the Governor’s son to sign the letter in full view of the camera.
We advise that the right thing be done in making the deputy governor the acting governor while we pray for the full recuperation of the governor.”
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