Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has been asked by Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) for Democracy to either resume his duties in Akure, the state capital, or transmit power to his deputy, Luck Aiyedatiwa, for effective governance.
Addressing newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, the Convener, Dr Tunji John Asaolu, said the people of Ondo deserve transparent and accountable leadership, and will not stand idle while political machinations jeopardise the well-being of the state.
Recall that Governor Akeredolu returned from his medical trip in Germany a few months ago, but he has been running Ondo State from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, a development that has led to several protests in the state.
But Dr Asaolu said, “We urge Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to prioritise the needs of the people and to resume his responsibilities without further delay or transfer power to his deputy. Our state cannot afford to be without effective leadership, and we demand swift action to rectify this situation.
“We call on all relevant authorities to urgently address this matter and ensure the seamless transition of governance to the Ondo deputy governor, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.
“We remind all stakeholders that the constitution empowers the deputy governor to act in the governor’s absence. The political maneuvering preventing this is a violation of the very principles that underpin our democratic system. Ondo State deserves strong and unwavering leadership, especially in challenging times.”