After several political crises over his continuous absence, Governor Rotimi Akereodolu has finally handed over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
The latest development is coming after Akeredolu’s three-month absence from the state, since returning to Nigeria in September, which generated several reactions.
For over three months, Ondo State has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, following the political crises generated by the absence of Governor Rotimi Akereodolu, since returning from medical vacation.
He has since been at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State.
His ill-health and continuous absence had ignited rivalry within his political family, and permutations heightened over his likely successor.
In the midst of all these, the allegation of forgery of Governor Akeredolu’s signature on an official document also came up.
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However, the intervention of President Bola Tinubu on Monday night, the second in two weeks, seemed to have yielded a temporary solution.
On Tuesday, Governor Akereodolu wrote to the state assembly, on his intention to proceed on another medical leave, paving the way for embattled Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who has been faced with allegations of disloyalty, to assume responsibility as acting governor.
According to available records from the office of the Chief Press Secretary To The Governor, Akereodolu had gone on medical vacation five times in the last two years, the first being on April 1, 2021.
It remains to be seen if the latest development will bring an end to the political intrigues within the ruling APC, even as the state prepares for the 2024 governorship election.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
