Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is set to begin his medical leave on Wednesday for a follow-up to his medical treatment, according to his spokesman, Richard Olatunde.
During Akeredolu’s absence, Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa will assume the responsibilities of the governor in an acting capacity, as stated in a Tuesday statement by Olatunde.
Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), secured re-election as the state governor in October 2020, taking the oath for a second term in office in February 2021.
However, his second term has faced challenges since January 2023, necessitating overseas medical treatment in June due to a health condition. The 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September but remained in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Facing pressure from opposition parties and activists to resign or hand over power by the 1999 constitution, Akeredolu’s loyalists in the state House of Assembly clashed with Aiyedatiwa, prompting intervention from President Bola Tinubu.
In the statement, Olatunde emphasised that the governor would prioritise his health for a full recovery before resuming official duties.
A formal letter outlining the medical leave and formally transferring power, following the Nigerian Constitution, will be sent to the House of Assembly.
As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a respected figure, Governor Akeredolu has consistently delegated power to his deputy during annual vacations.
This practice was observed on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, during previous vacations, as stated in the released statement.”
