Resign Now, Activist Lawyer Tell Akeredolu
Human rights lawyer, Allen Sowore, has called on the Ondo State House of Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity to ensure the resignation of Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
Sowore, argued that the constitutional provision, which was previously utilised during the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration, can provide a solution to the current political predicament in the state.
According to him, since the return of Akeredolu from a three-month medical leave, he has not been seen in the state while his embattled deputy, who was supposed to hold forth, has been outside the state as well to prevent his impeachment by the Assembly.
The lawyer, in a statement made available to The Guardian entitled “Ondo Political Quagmire: Time to Invoke Doctrine of Necessity is Now!” said: “In accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and following due process, procedure, and proceedings, it is evident that the covert plot by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to impeach his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has failed woefully.”
‘It is no secret that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been absent and unavailable to perform his duties since 3rd April 2023, leaving the state without governance and direction. His recent staged return from Germany and the subsequent submission of a resumption letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly have exposed the challenges the cabal has been hiding from the people. Since this orchestrated return, no one in the state has seen or heard from the governor.
“Hence, it is imperative and patriotic for the State House of Assembly to utilise and invoke the various provisions in the Constitution.”
In his reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, emphasised that the governor’s whereabouts have not impeded the governance of the state.
He asserted that not only is the government fully operational, but is also actively driving the state’s progress.
Olatunde stated that sensationalizing the governor’s location is unnecessary as he urged the people to focus on the concrete achievements being made in the state.
