Reactions have continued to trail the 21 days ultimatum given the Ondo state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to hand over government to his deputy ,Agboola Ajayi following Akeredolu’s Covid19 status.
On Tuesday, Governor Akeredolu disclosed he had tested positive for COVID-19, but allayed the people’s fears by asserting he would continue working from self-isolation.
Following this development, some supporters of the deputy governor have commenced a social media pressure on Akeredolu to hand over to Ajayi.
Briefing newsmen in Akure, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said aside the loss of trust and alleged treachery on Ajayi’s part, governance was not grounded, as Akeredolu remained active in the line of duty.
In a reaction, Tope Okeowo, Ajayi’s press secretary indicated he (Ajayi) “was not prepared to step in for Governor Akeredolu, since he was not incapacitated.”
But in less than 10 hours , the Deputy governor made a U turn ,insisting that Akeredolu remained partially incapacitated, and had no choice than to hand over the reins of governance to him. He gave Akeredolu a 21-day ultimatum to effect the process.
The statement by Agboola’s media adviser ,Allen Sowore reads “Ordinarily, one expects Mr Governor to bring to bear on governance his background as a lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN). But it is rather surprising and worrisome that the Governor has chosen the part of perversion of justice, by allowing his close aides to go astray in a matter of constitutionality.
Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) is apposite in the prevailing constitutional abberration in Ondo State. On our part, we will continue to pray fervently for Mr Governor’s quickest recovery.
However, it should be noted, that Mr Governor is at liberty to handover or not within 21 days after which the constitution becomes operational.
Ostensibly, the refusal and failure of Mr Governor to handover the running of government to his deputy while he is temporarily incapacitated in self- isolation underscore his absolute disregard for our nation’s supreme document, 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the tenets of rule of law. The Governor’s position is a spite on the Ondo State people and a direct assault on the provisions of the constitution which he swore to uphold.”
Meanwhile, the social media have been awash with reactions from the people who think the call was inapt.