Some lawyers and concerned Indigenes of Ondo State have charged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to address people of the State within 14 days on his state of medical fitness.
This was contained in a letter dated October 20 to the Executive Council of Ondo State and members of the Council including Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Secretary to the State Government and the Commissioner for Justice.
The lawyers are Joshua Sebiotimo, I.I. Bewaji, Myson Nejo, Vincent Adodo, Kehinde Olowe, Abayomi Olahanmi, Michael Ojimba, Oluwaseun J Bawa, Adeyoriju Omowole and Victoria Lipo.
They lamented governance in Ondo State has been practically grounded because of the absence of the Governor and non- performance of the functions of his office since being flown back from Germany where he was receiving medical attention.
According to them, if the governor fails to address residents, the State Executive Council should declare pursuant to section 189 (1) of the 1999 Constitution that the Governor is incapacitated and unable to perform the functions of his office.
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The letter reads: “We are lawyers and concerned indigenes of Ondo State, taking cognizance of the sensitive office he occupies as the first citizen of Ondo, we are inclined to state emphatically that the Executive Governor of Ondo State. Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) is permanently incapable and incapacitated to continue to act or discharge the functions and responsibilities of his office as the Governor of the State owing to infirmity of the body and/or the time, which has remained so for quite a considerable and overwhelming length pegged at 5 months, without no such intentions to exaggerate.”
“To this end, therefore, we deem it quite expedient to remind you of your
constitutional duty imposed on you by virtue of section 189 (1)a) of the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which demands you to pass a resolution of two-thirds majority in situations such as this, declaring the Governor incapable of discharging the functions of his office,
It is with utter regards and profound respect to your office(s) that we wish to convey to you our clamor and quest which also reflects the interest of the good people of Ondo State which you all have sworn to prioritize and protect at all times.”
“A press briefing should be done by the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Odunayo Akeredolu (SAN) through local or national media channels to ascertain the veracity of his alleged medical fitness, within fourteen (14) days upon the receipt of this letter.”
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“Where the Governor of Ondo State fails to comply with the above paragraph 1, the Executive Council of Ondo State must call a meeting to address the statutory duty imposed upon you by virtue of section 189 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), declaring the Governor incapable of discharging the functions of his office, within seven (7) days after the expiration of fourteen (14) days as indicated at paragraph 1 above.”
“All other such responsibilities incidental to achieving the essence of section 189 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).”
“Please note further that should you fail, refuse, and/or neglect to discharge your
duty as imposed upon you by virtue of section 189 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), we shall not hesitate to obtain an Order of Mandamus against you compelling and mandating you to fulfill your constitutional duty.”
