Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu resumed official duties 24 hours after he returned from a three-month medical vacation. The governor met with key stakeholders in Ondo State at his residence in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where he landed.
Those he met with included members of the State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide; members of the State Executive Council, led by the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; National Assembly members; led by Senator Jide Ipinsagba; and Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Working Committee, led by the Chairman, Engr. Ade Adetimehin.
Youth groups, former Local Government chairmen, and members of the Foundation of Wives of Ondo State Officials (FOWOSO), also visited the governor in Ibadan.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, said the Governor formally handed over his resumption letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Olamide, and also provided a copy to Aiyedatiwa, who has been Acting Governor.
The statement quoted Governor Akeredolu as saying, “-I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today. God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory. So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with House of Assembly members here. We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete my full tenure in office. I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption. The Speaker said the Governor’s return to the country was a prayer answered.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has criticised Akeredolu for going to his Ibadan residence after his three-month medical vacation abroad. It said the action of the governor amounted to disrespecting the people of Ondo State who it said have been praying for his recovery. The Ondo PDP alleged that Governor Akeredolu has relocated his government and State Assembly to his Ibadan residence.
In a statement, spokesman for the Ondo PDP, Kennedy Peretei said the First Lady, Betty, assumed the role of Akeredolu’s media handlers as there was no official release about the Governor’s return. “His first point of call should have been Ondo State, where everybody prayed for his quick recovery and return to his duties. Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all State Cabinet members and State Assemblymen to join him.
“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated,” PDP said. But the All Progressives Congress said the PDP lacked regard for constructive criticisms as an opposition party. It said the PDP was crude and reckless in its approach to issues.
Spokesman for the Ondo APC, Alex Kalejaiye, said the Governor didn’t invite anyone “but enthusiastic party leaders felt the need to visit a leader that has done so much for the Sunshine State and welcome him back to Nigeria.
“I advise the PDP to be more alive to its responsibility and always come up with development provoked criticism in the interest of Ondo State”, he said.
