The crisis rocking the executive arm of government between the Ondo State governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and his deputy, Agboola Ajayi seems unabated, with the allegation by the state government that Ajayi is planning a protest in Akure and Abuja to compel the governor to hand over power to him, while treating COVID-19.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Deputy Governor, Babatope Okeowo, while drawing the attention of the public to the allegation, also described it as a “wild allegation, which is the figment of the imagination of a drowning government.”
The statement added, “The allegation is not only untrue, but reckless and provocative as it represents an orchestrated attempt by Governor Akeredolu’s government to portray the deputy governor as a man desperate for power at all cost.
“A government which deliberately twisted the interpretation of Section 190(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to mean that the Deputy Governor was demanding for the handover of power to him, can do anything to whip up sentiment and remain relevant.
“It must be stated that the Constitution of the Federal Republic is explicit on who takes over in a situation where the governor of a state is incapacitated or unable to discharge his duties. The deputy governor of Ondo State is a man of peace and firm believer in our nation’s constitution. Therefore H.E Agboola Ajayi does not need to sponsor any protest for a constitutional provision to be effected.”
While not praying for such situation to occur in Ondo State, Okeowo said that it must be noted that the actions and utterances of some political office holders in the state is dangerous to the nation’s nascent democracy.
Calling on the public to take note that the latest allegation against the Ondo State deputy governor came few days after a Special Adviser to Governor Akeredolu boasted on a radio programme in Akure that the government would do anything, including taking extra-constitutional measures, to impeach an elected Deputy Governor, the statement added that the same spokesman had earlier issued an official release that the governor will not handover the reins of government to the Deputy Governor, because he has declared interest to govern Ondo State in another political party.
Okeowo added, “Let it be known to lovers of democracy and good governance that if anybody is a threat to good governance, it is those who through their actions and inactions have personalised governance at the detriment of the people of the state.”
He added that Ajayi continues to pray for the quick recovery of the governor, so that he can return to his duty post as soon as possible; even as he also prays that every citizen of the state currently afflicted with Coronavirus will get well soon to the glory of God.
