The Ondo State Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, said it had been vindicated by the request of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for an extension of his sick leave.
It demanded that the government should come clean on the state of health of the governor, rather than deceiving the people.
The PDP was reacting to Akeredolu’s letter received by the Ondo State House of Assembly, on Monday, wherein the governor asked for an extension of his sick leave.
The governor has been on sick leave since June 5 and was expected to resume on July 6.
He proceeded on medical leave abroad after writing to the state Assembly, notifying the lawmakers that he had transmitted power to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to stand in as acting governor.
In a statement on Monday, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mr Olamide Oladiji, said the House had received a letter from Akeredolu, seeking extension of his sick leave on the grounds that his doctors advised him to further rest and recuperate before starting work.
The Speaker said the governor’s action was in line with Section 190 of the Constitution.
The statement read, “His (Akeredolu’s) deputy, Hon . Lucky Aiyedatiwa, will continue to act as governor until there is a written declaration to the contrary.”
The Speaker, who appreciated God for the speedy recovery of the governor, expressed optimism that he would soon resume his duty.
But reacting to the development, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Ondo State, Mr Kennedy Peretei, said Akeredolu’s letter seeking extension vindicated the position of the party.
Peretei said “In the statement, I issued yesterday ( Sunday), I queried the Commissioner for Information, when she said, in her statement, that the governor was in high spirits but would return on a date determined by his doctors in Germany.
“The statement was inadequate. We expected the governor to write the Assembly again to extend his vacation.
“But today (Monday) they have just admitted that, that he has written to Assembly for the vacation.
“As long as it has to do with the governor’s health, there is nothing we can do and it is our prayer for the governor to recover quickly.”
