The Peoples Democratic Party chapter in Ondo State has requested that the state House of Assembly start the impeachment process of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu due to his prolonged absence from the state.
The opposition party said that by leaving the state for more than six months, the governor had committed an impeachable offense and that the Assembly should now start the impeachment process.
This was said in a statement made on Thursday in Akure by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei.
Peretei claimed that because of the illness, Ondo State has been operating on autopilot for about six months, putting an end to all government operations.
The statement read, “The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the governor of public sympathy
“The Constitution envisaged that it is possible for a state governor to be ill or incapacitated as it is the case with Akeredolu now and therefore made safeguards. Section 193(2) states expressly that ‘the governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the deputy governor and all commissioners of the government of the state for the purposes of determining the general direction of policies of the state’ amongst other provisions.
“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be the reason an entire state must be brought to its knees. The PDP Ondo State chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke section 189(1) to cause a medical panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.
“Our party wishes to urge the governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.”
However, in a swift reaction, the House urged the people of the state to ignore the PDP because it lacked knowledge of the duties of a governor.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said Governor Akeredolu has been performing his constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the Constitution.
“The Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the state, including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of a backlog of salary arrears.
“The governor is doing his duties. Everything is going on well in the state. We have met with the Governor and all those that want to meet with him. If the governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed all bills brought before him. What we know is that the PDP is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of the governor.
Governor Akeredolu had returned to the country from Germany after spending some months on medical vacation, and he had been in his personal residence in Ibadan Oyo State.
However, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, in a statement, said the governor would soon return to the state.
