Declare Aiyedatiwa acting gov, CSOs tell Ondo assembly

Civil Society Organisations in Ondo State under the auspices of the Ondo State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations have expressed their displeasure over the current situation in the state.

The group, which comprises all civil society organisations in the state, said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s prolonged absence has created a vacuum in the leadership of the state.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Chairman of the OSCOCSO, Mr Franklin Oloniju, said the absence of the governor had left the government rudderless and unable to effectively address the pressing issues facing the people of the state

To this end, Oloniju urged the state House of Assembly to declare the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa  acting governor in line with the constitution.

He said, “The Ondo State Coalition of Civil Society Organisations is deeply concerned about the ongoing constitutional crisis in the state following the governor’s prolonged absence from office due to ill health.

“We are alarmed by the failure of the Ondo State House of Assembly to activate the relevant constitutional provisions to appoint the deputy governor as acting governor in the governor’s absence, even after the peace move facilitated by the President.

“The Ondo State House of Assembly’s inaction is a dereliction of duty and a violation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). Article 190 of the Constitution clearly states that the deputy governor shall assume the functions of the governor if the governor is unable to discharge the functions of his office.

‘The governor’s prolonged absence has created a vacuum in the leadership of the state, leaving the government rudderless and unable to effectively address the pressing issues facing the people of Ondo State. The failure of the House of Assembly to act promptly has exacerbated this crisis and is causing unnecessary hardship and uncertainty for the people of Ondo State.”

Oloniju urged the state Assembly to correct the lacuna in the government and also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and  the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate the allegations of theft and the mismanagement of public funds by some government officials in the state.

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