The Ondo State House of Assembly has rejected a call by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the dismissal of the governor. Rotimi Akeredolu from the office.
The PDP says the governor is violating the constitution by refusing to resign while incapacitated by illness.
Akeredolu has been confined to his residence in Ibadan since he returned from a three-month medical leave in Germany last month.
The opposition party’s youth wing staged a protest on Monday asking him to return to the state or resign.
The party on Thursday urged lawmakers, who just suspended a move to remove Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa following intervention by the All Progressives Congress (APC), to remove the governor.
But the House of Assembly rejected the call, saying the PDP is incompetent to offer advice on how to govern a state.
The PDP had said that due to the governor’s incapacitation, the state has been on “autopilot.”
“It is no longer news that Ondo State has been on autopilot for almost six months, paralyzing all government activities due to the poor health of the governor,” PDP spokesperson Kennedy Peretei said in a statement on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, instead of telling the truth to the citizens, most of the Akeredolu traffickers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public display of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the Governor of public sympathy.
“The Constitution provided that it is possible for a state governor to be ill or incapacitated as is the current case of Akeredolu and therefore put in place safeguards.
“Article 193(2) expressly provides that ‘the Governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the Lieutenant Governor and all Commissioners of the State Government for the purpose of determining the general direction of the policies of the state, among other provisions.’
“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting?
“Being sick is not a crime, but that will not be a reason to bring an entire state to its knees.
“The Ondo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calls on the State House of Assembly to invoke sections 189(1) to institute a Medical Panel to determine the medical status of Akeredolu and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.
“Our party wishes to urge the Governor’s advisors to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and current logic.”
But the Assembly Majority Leader, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, urged the people to ignore the PDP because it is allegedly unaware of the duties of a governor.
He said Governor Akeredolu has been discharging his duties and has not violated any aspect of the constitution.
Ogunmolasuyi said the Assembly has taken note of the ongoing development projects across the state, including prompt payment of salaries and removal of salary arrears.
He said the PDP is not in a position to know whether the State Executive Council met or not.
“The Governor is fulfilling his duties. Everything is going well in the state. We have met the governor and all those who want to meet him,” Ogunmolasuyi said.
“If the governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed every bill that has been presented to him. What we know is that the PPD is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of a Governor.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja restrained lawmakers from removing the Deputy Governor, Mr. Aiyedatiwa, for alleged gross misconduct.
Akeredolu has not been to the state since arriving from medical leave more than a month ago.
His aide, Doyin Odebowale, said lack of suitable accommodation was the reason why the governor decided to stay in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
He said the governor’s residence in Alagbaka, Akure, is not conducive to governance, especially due to his poor health.
Akeredolu, who was re-elected for a second term in October 2020, has more than a year left in office.
A succession fight between his officials and associates is believed to be behind the attempt to remove Mr Aiyedatiwa, who was accused of disloyalty to the governor.