PDP group to Akeredolu: Resume work within 72 hours or hand over to your deputy

November 17, 2023 6:05 pm

late Rotimi Akeredolu, former governor of the state

A group known as Peoples Democratic Party Forever Initiative (PDPF) has threatened to occupy the Ondo government house if Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of the state, fails to hand over to Lucky Aiyedatiwa, his deputy.

Akeredolu returned to Nigeria in the first week of September after a three-month medical leave in Germany.

The governor, who landed in Ibadan, the Oyo capital, has since been working from the state.

The absence of Akeredolu from Ondo has become a source of concern to many stakeholders within and outside the state.

Aiyedatiwa is facing impeachment initiated by the state house of assembly over the allegation of gross misconduct.

Speaking at the press conference in Abuja on Friday, Obande Gideon, national coordinator of the group, said if Akeredolu did not hand over to Aiyedatiwa within 72 hours, they would occupy the government house on Monday.

“Once upon a time, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party attempted to protest against the leadership vacuum in Ondo State but the security agencies prevented us,” he said.

“We are not giving up, we are resilient in propagating good governance.

“It has become ridiculous and indeed a laughing stock of 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 the ailing governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

“The governor has been around in the country but obviously not fit enough to manage the affairs of the state.

“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?

“We hereby call on Governor Olawarotimi 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 hand over power to his deputy within 72 hours, we will have no option than to occupy Ondo state government house to press home our demands.”