After weeks of speculation about the health of Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his prolonged absence from the state, he officially handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday.
Akeredolu informed the Speaker of the Ondo State House Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, in a letter that Aiyedatiwa would act as Governor while he is on medical leave abroad.
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Concerns had been raised in the state about the Governor’s whereabouts, with opposition parties urging him to delegate power to the deputy governor in order to avoid a constitutional crisis.
From June 7 to July 6, 2023, Akeredolu will be on a 21-day medical leave abroad, according to the Speaker.
The leave, which began on June 7, has been extended until July 6, 2023, due to public holidays on June 12 (Democracy Day) and Eid el Kabir (June 28th and 29th, 2023), according to the letter.
The Governor, according to the Speaker, is a peacemaker and defender of the rule of law.
He wished him a speedy recovery and a pleasant vacation, while assuring the people of Ondo State that the state’s affairs would be efficiently handled in the Governor’s absence.