Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has taken a 21-day medical leave abroad and handed over to his deputy Lucky Aiyedatiwa, confirmed by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly Olamide Oladiji.
The governor’s leave began on June 7, 2023, and was extended to July 6, 2023, due to public holidays on June 12, 2023, and Eid el Kabir on June 28 and 29.
In a Tuesday statement, the lawmakers stated, “The Governor, who had directed his Deputy, Hon.Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa to act as the Governor while away, has assured of his resumption on the 6th of July, 2023.”
However, Governor Akeredolu’s medical leave has raised concerns about his health, and various speculations, including false reports of his death, have circulated. Still, the Ondo State Government quickly debunked these rumours.
State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, issued a statement dismissing the claims that Governor Akeredolu had passed, stating: “Though the Governor has been indisposed, he has been attending to state matters and delegating functions to functionaries of the Government, when necessary. We enjoin the members of the public to ignore the rumour. Aketi is very much alive.”
Following the announcement of the governor’s departure, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) called on the deputy governor to hand over to the House of Assembly’s Speaker. Kennedy Peretei, the party’s spokesman in the state, called on Akeredolu to resign his position if he could no longer discharge his official responsibilities, as required by the Nigerian constitution.
The Speaker of the House, Olamide Oladiji, confirmed receiving the governor’s letter indicating his departure for treatment. Speaking through the lawmakers, the Speaker of the House Rt.Hon.Olamide Oladiji explained that the Governor had embarked on a 21-day leave for medical treatment abroad starting from the 7th of June 2023 to the 6th of July 2023.
