Hand over to your deputy to avert constitutional crisis, SDP tells Akeredolu

Tamarauemi Ebimini

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has called on Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu to hand over to his deputy, Agbola Ajayi due to the former’s ill-health so as to avert a constitutional crisis.

The Ondo chapter of the SDP made this call on Wednesday in a statement signed by the party’s state chairman, Stephen Adewale in Akure, the state capital.

Following the indisposition of governor Akeredolu, Adewale asked him to hand over to his deputy in an acting capacity until he is fit.

According to the Ondo state SDP chairman, the party understands Akeredolu’s health condition for which all the members have been praying for a speedy recovery.

However, the state should not and cannot be left without a constitutional head in an acting capacity while he is away attending to his health.

“As we write this, our dear governor has refused to hand over to his deputy in an acting capacity while his whereabouts remain unknown.

“In the past seven days, President Tinubu has met with the APC Governors’ Forum twice. During each of those meetings, matters of national importance were discussed.

“Nearly all the governors were in attendance, and those who could not make it had their deputies fill in for them.

“The only state that was conspicuously missing in terms of representation at the two meetings is our dear Ondo State.

“While he recuperates, therefore, we call on Governor Akeredolu to immediately hand over to constitutionally delegate power to the deputy in an Acting capacity so as to keep the state running effectively.”

Adewale also described the silence from the governor’s camp and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State as concerning and alarming.