TheCable

The Ondo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Rotimi Akeredolu, the state governor, to leave Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, and return to Akure to complete his tenure.

In a statement issued on Friday by Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, the Ondo PDP spokesperson, the party said Akeredolu has been governing the state from his Ibadan residence since his return from medical leave. 

On September 7, Akeredolu returned to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany. 

The governor was welcomed by his close aides at his home in Ibadan where he was expected to spend a number of days before moving to the Government House in Akure. 

The party said with Akeredolu governing the state from Oyo, he might have been brought back into the country “to foil an impeachment process”. 

“Last week, the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Ondo State Chapter challenged the rationale for Akeredolu calling for a meeting in his Ibadan residence, instead of Ondo State where he was elected to govern,” the statement reads. 

“Up till this moment, the Governor has not been seen anywhere near Ondo State.

“Akeredolu is beginning to fuel media speculations that, against the advice of his doctors, he was hurriedly brought into Nigeria to foil an impeachment process.

“He also ordered an upgrade of his Ibadan residence to include a replica of Executive Council Chambers, from where he intends to hold Exco meetings.

“Does Akeredolu want to make Ibadan the capital of Ondo State? What is the hurry to resume all about, if he cannot come to Ondo State?

“Would it not have made more sense if he was still attending to his health abroad? Why did he say he has resumed when indeed he has not?”

The Ondo PDP asked Akeredolu to proceed on another medical leave if still unfit, rather than running the state from Oyo. 

“Our party wishes to advise Akeredolu to come to Ondo State to complete his tenure,” the statement reads. 

“But if he does not feel fit enough to resume, he can proceed on another medical leave instead of trying to pull wool over our eyes in Ondo State.”

Akeredolu, 67, was sworn in for a second term in office on February 24, 2021.

Upon his return, the governor said by the grace of God, he will be “alive” to complete his tenure, which ends in February 2025.