Group recommends electronic signature for letter transmitting power to Akeredolu’s deputy

A group known as the Acts for Positive Transformation Initiative says electronic signature should be used in the letter transmitting power to the deputy governor of Ondo state.

The group said the current health status of Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, makes it difficult for him to sign a letter transmitting power to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy.

In a statement on Tuesday, Kolawole Johnson, the group’s head of the directorate of research and strategy, said the organisation has been investigating the allegations of widespread forgery of the governor’s signature.

BACKGROUND

Earlier on Tuesday, Richard Olatunde, chief press secretary to the governor, said Akeredolu would embark on a medical leave on December 13, as a follow-up to his treatment.

Olatunde said a formal letter of the medical leave and a notice transferring power to the deputy governor will be transmitted to the house of assembly.

Akeredolu has been absent from Ondo since June due to health reasons. The governor returned to Nigeria in the first week of September after a three-month medical leave in Germany.

Since returning to the country, Akeredolu has been working from Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

Akeredolu’s absence from Ondo has become a source of concern to several stakeholders and created a political crisis.

Amid the absence of Akeredolu, there have been allegations that his signature is being forged by some officials of the state government.

The group stressed that an electronic signature should be used since Akeredolu’s health status cannot allow him to sign a transmission letter.

“The danger looming is that if a forged signature is allowed as the premise for transmission of power to Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, it will be difficult to reject the same forged signature on other documents that are currently in our possession and many more in different government agencies across the state,” the statement reads.

“There can not be a rejection of the signature in some instances and acceptance of the same in other instances.

“We, however, do know that the president is fully in the know of Governor Akeredolu’s state of health at the moment, his level of lucidity, and his likely inability to sign any letter.

“It’s our concern that any attempt to accept a forged letter to the house of assembly which will transfer power to the deputy governor in an acting capacity will confer some sort of legitimacy on the forgery already perpetrated which will make it difficult for the forgers to face the full wrath of the law in the fullness of time as we are determined to bring perpetrators to face the law.

“In this circumstance, we suggest an electronic signature be used in place, or a law enforcement officer be sent alongside the governor’s son to sign the letter in full glare of the camera.

“We advise that the right thing be done in making the deputy governor the acting governor while we pray for the full recuperation of the governor.”