Yemi Balogun
A group, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Forever Initiative has issued the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu a 72-hour ultimatum to transmit power to his deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa or face dare consequence.
Its National Coordinator, Hon. Obande Obande, while addressing a press conference at the PDP national secretariat on Friday in Abuja expressed worry that President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to address the lingering constitutional issue.
To this end, Obande threatened that they would occupy the Governor’s office should Akeredolu fail to heed the 72 hours ultimatum.
He explained that his absence was hindering the smooth running of state affairs, adding that as the constitution demands, he should transmit power to the Deputy Governor until he is fit to continue in office.
Obande noted that Akeredolu has been around in the country, but obviously not fit enough to manage the affairs of the State.
According to him, The question is, since the Deputy Governor is not allowed to act, and the Governor has refused to resume, who is administering the State at the moment?
He was of the opinion that it has become ridiculous and indeed a laughing stock that the activities of non state actors who display their overbearing influence on the management of affairs of Ondo State in view of their relationship with Akeredolu.
Obande said: “We hereby call on Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to resume within 72 hours or hand over power to his Deputy for effective management of Ondo State.
“We make bold to say that, if the Governor fails to resume or handover power to his Deputy within 72hours, we will have no option than to occupy Ondo State Government House to press home our demand,” the PDP Forever Initiative said.”
“The worst of it is the political vacuum in Ondo State where the APC leadership used in showcasing its ineptitude towards governance in the country.
“During our (PDP’s) reign in power, former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua was sick and could not transmit power to the Vice President before leaving the country, our party invoked the powers of the constitution and empowered the Vice President as the Acting President.
“It also happened in Taraba State when the late Gov Danbaba Suntai had an air crash, we resolved the crisis but the ruling APC has failed woefully in managing the political crisis in Ondo State.”