The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has once again expressed concern over the extended absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu from the state due to ill health. In a statement issued on Thursday, the PDP argued that while being ill is not a crime, Governor Akeredolu’s handlers had allegedly mishandled the situation, leaving the state in a state of uncertainty.
The PDP has called on the Ondo State House of Assembly to take immediate action by forming a medical panel to assess the governor’s health status. Simultaneously, they have urged the lawmakers to initiate a process for the possible impeachment of the governor. The PDP contends that Akeredolu has committed an impeachable offense by staying out of the state for an extended period, effectively leaving the state on autopilot for nearly six months and halting all government activities.
In a statement issued by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Kennedy Peretei, the party stated, “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.”
The PDP expressed dissatisfaction with how Akeredolu’s condition has been handled by his aides, accusing them of making a public display of their ignorance. The party emphasized that while it is not a crime for a governor to fall ill or be incapacitated, the state should not be brought to its knees as a result. They have urged the State Assembly to invoke section 189(1) to establish a medical panel to determine Akeredolu’s medical condition, emphasizing that this action is in the best interest of the state’s residents.
In response to the PDP’s call for impeachment, Mr. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, the Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, swiftly dismissed the notion. Ogunmolasuyi argued that the opposition party lacks an understanding of what constitutes impeachable offenses against a governor. He asserted that Governor Akeredolu has not failed in his duties and has not violated any aspect of the constitution.
Ogunmolasuyi cited ongoing developmental projects across the state, the prompt payment of salaries, and the clearance of salary arrears as evidence of the governor’s effective governance. He stated, “The governor is doing his duties. Everything is going well in the state. 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.”
The situation regarding Governor Akeredolu’s absence continues to be a subject of contention between the opposition and the ruling party in Ondo State. The debate over whether his health condition justifies impeachment remains at the forefront of political discourse in the region.