Probe Akeredolu’s health, group reports Ondo assembly to senate

A group in Ondo state has dragged the state assembly to the Senate, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee, to seek a probe of the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu’s health.

It called on Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, to help locate his Ondo counterpart, allegedly kept somewhere in the city of Ibadan.

The group queried how a state is properly run without its government in place, saying Ondo is now left in the hands of power mongers, crass opportunists and those who have no good plans other than self-aggrandizement.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Monday, leader of the group, Ologun Ayodeji, condemned the absence of leadership and representation by the Ondo hierarchy, demanding that henceforth, individuals so elected should be allowed to perform their democratic duties as provided for by the laws of the land.

He said, “It gives me pleasure to welcome you to this very important address of the state of governance in Ondo State to set her continuously on the path of sustainable growth and social welfare to the people.

“It is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf, the state of comatose that Ondo State has found herself in recent times and regrettably so because she used to be the shining star of the west and a reference point in good governance and social welfare of the citizens.

“Governance has suddenly taken flight, leaving the people without leadership, direction or representation in all forms. The whirlwind is fast blowing across the state and taking along in its wake, distrust, deception and allegations.

“We shall take the issues one after the other and attempt to save Ondo state from marauders attempting to take the state to Golgotha.

“Emptiness of Executive Leadership across the state: as of the hour of holding this press briefing, there is no layer of governance at the executive level in the state and it is simply pathetic. The state has no Governor (None visibly so); The state has no Acting Governor (Not with the purported resumption of duty by Akeredolu); The State has a nonfunctional embattled deputy Governor; the state has no Local Government Chairmen nor councillors.

“How does a state properly run without these organs in place? The state is now left in the hands of power mongers, crass opportunists and those who have no good plans other than self-aggrandizement.

“Representation at the federal level: It is appalling and greatly so that Ondo State has been missing out on the affairs of the country and her management both for herself and her contribution to National development. For a state so blessed to have two Cabinet Ministers and an array of other appointees at the federal level from the state, the state has been missing out on key representation at national issues and is appalling.

“The state has not been part of the meetings of the Economic council in recent times ditto to the meetings of the governor with the president where key decisions are being taken or has a presence at the meeting of the governors forum. This is not only disgraceful to Ondo State but it also shows the lacuna that exists in the realm of leadership in the state and regrettably so.

“We hold and dearly so, that the people of Ondo state are being shortchanged by the grip of a few unelected individuals who are taking advantage of the absence of the chief executive to prevent the wheel of governance from adequately spinning and allowing a smooth run of governance.”