Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, and his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have been absent, raising concerns among residents.
The chief executive, who recently returned from a medical vacation, has not been seen in the state since his arrival five weeks ago.Despite Akeredolu’s recovery, his absence is creating a power vacuum and confusion within the political landscape.
Equally, Aiyedatiwa, has not been seen around Akure, the state capital.
According to findings, the deputy governor has reportedly been avoiding the Government House because of his impeachment proceedings. He is being investigated on a 14-count charge by the legislature.
Speaking on the development, a senior lecturer at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Dr. Olugbenga Abimbola, stated that the development had affected the state.
His words: “The governor had been out of the state for over three months on health grounds, which is a situation that can befall anybody. Nobody is immune from sickness.”
“Now that the governor has come back, more than four weeks after he has returned, he has not come to Ondo State. So, the question is, who should be in charge? It is his deputy? And the deputy, who should be in charge, is involved in the impeachment saga with the House of Assembly. So, it is like Ondo State is rudderless, and nobody to steer the ship of the state.”
A civil servant, who simply gave his name as Adedipe, stated that the absence of the governor and his deputy had trickled down to how workers now take official assignments seriously.
In the meantime, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of instigating crisis within its fold.
The party stressed that the state has been peaceful, accusing PDP of creating political instability to gain advantage ahead of the 2024 governorship election.
