On Wednesday, Ondo State’s acting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, denied claims that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s cabinet is divided due to his illness.
Aiyedatiwa, who became acting governor after Akeredolu’s Tuesday letter informing the state Legislature of his 21-day medical leave abroad, said he will build on his boss’s foundation.
On Wednesday, the interim governor warned politicians to keep the polity open for next year’s governorship race.
“I observe the worries of our people concerning governance in Ondo State and all allegations and insinuations making the rounds in the state,” the statement said. Let me be clear: rumours about disrupted government functions are unfounded and result from impatience and a lack of understanding of government operations.
In any event, such misrepresentations and obviously false allusions are to be expected when political gladiators try to heat up the polity before party primaries and governorship elections in any state. Ondo State is no exception.
Thus, we must reassure our citizens that state governance is proceeding. Mr. Governor has established a solid platform for one administration in the state, and there is no politically crippling divide in the government.”
Aiyedatiwa claimed Akeredolu “has consistently handed power to the deputy governor whenever he proceeds on annual vacation”.
By authorising a medical vacation, he has repeated this.
“We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Ondo State and all friends of our dear Sunshine State not to relent in their prayers for Mr Governor’s rapid recovery, so that he can return to duty after his medical vacation, to continue his good activities for the improvement of Ondo State and Nigeria.
“I cannot but exhort the political class to be guided by good conscience in the pursuit of ambition to safeguard the atmosphere of peace and unhindered development that we have been witnessing in our dear state in the last six years,” the acting governor stated.
The acting governor also pledged to cooperate with the newly inaugurated 10th Ondo State House of Assembly to advance the state.
