The Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked the State House of Assembly to immediately commence impeachment process of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for allegedly violating the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The opposition party disclosed that the state has been on auto-pilot for nearly six months with the non-availability of Governor Akeredolu grounding all activities of the government due to his ill-health.
Speaking through its publicity secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, PDP said: “Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance.”
According to PDP, “the handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the Governor of public sympathy.
”The Constitution envisaged that a State Governor can be ill or incapacitated as is the case with Akeredolu now, and therefore made safeguards.
“Section 193(2) states expressly that “the Governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the Deputy Governor and all Commissioners of the Government of the State for –
a. Determine the general direction of policies of the state” amongst other provisions.
“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be the reason an entire state must be brought to its knees.
“Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Ondo State Chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke section 189(1) to cause a Medical Panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.
“Our party wishes to urge the Governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.”
But, the Ondo State House of Assembly has urged the people of the state to ignore the PDP because, according to the lawmakers, the opposition lacked knowledge of the duties of a governor.
Reacting to the call for impeachment, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the governor has been performing his constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the 1999 Constitution.
Ogunmolasuyi said the Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the state, including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of salary arrears.
He said the PDP was not in the know whether the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting was held or not.
According to him, “The Governor is doing his duties. Everything is going on well in the state. We have met with the Governor and all those that want to meet with him.
“If the Governor is not doing what he is supposed to do, we will question him. He has signed all bills brought before him. What we know is that the PDP is a dead party. They cannot stipulate the duties of a Governor.”
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