By Oluwafemi Popoola
Former Presidential aide and veteran journalist, Laolu Akande, has commended ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State for transferring power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to be acting governor, saying the governor has done it again making it the fifth time this year.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, in a statement on Tuesday, December 12, said Akeredolu would transmit a letter to the state House of Assembly handing over power to his deputy, Aiyedatiwa as the acting governor.
The statement added that a formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly.
It reads in part, “In the absence of Governor Akeredolu, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, will assume the responsibilities of the Governor in an acting capacity.
“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.”
Speaking on Channels TV’s news documentary programme, Sunrise Daily, on Friday, December 15, 2023, Akande, who is the TV’s in-house political analyst said the Ondo State governor has done what many people believe is the right to do, mentioning that the move would no doubt put an end to the leadership crisis rocking the state.
His words, “The governor actually did what many people believe is the right thing which he has done four times and this is the fifth time this year that he is transferring power to the deputy governor while he is away. That is commendable,” Akande said.
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He added, “I think it has sort of settled the situation in Ondo State. Now, you have Mr Ayedatiwa fully in charge as the acting governor. We hope that it will calm things down so that there can be a real impact of governance for the people.
“As to what might happen ahead of the primaries in April that might actually be one of the under currence that was driving the crisis that we have seen in Ondo State. But hopefully, I think with the intervention of the President and the governor doing what is right. I think a lot depends on the acting governor to get the job done.
Commenting on the unifying speech that was made by the acting Governor calling for the support of the Ondo people for smooth governance, Akande said, “That is the kind of rhetoric that should be coming from the acting governor of Ondo State to try and rally everybody together.
“A lot of time has been wasted you know all the drama about signature and kinds of stuff like that, we don’t know what is happening. It is now time for the acting governor to take charge and ensure there is governance and that speech I also read, is quite a good start.
“Put everybody together, let us focus less on politics and more on governance,” Akande concluded.
