Gov. Akeredolu goes on vacation, shuns Ondo Assembly [EXCLUSIVE]

The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu is currently on a
two-week vacation in the United States, US, although his aides are
claiming that their principal is on a working visit.

Akeredolu, who flew out of the country for his son's wedding in
Colorado on the 15th of July, is yet to return to the country weeks
after the ceremony which took place on the 22nd July in Cheyenne
Mountain Resort Springs, Colorado.

Findings by DAILY POST revealed that the Governor did not transmit any
leave letter to the Ondo State House of Assembly indicating that he
will be staying outside the state for a prolonged time.

According to one of our impeccable sources, who wish to remain
anonymous, the state's legislative house is yet to receive any letter
of such vacation from the executive.

"None that I am aware of. It has not been read by the clerk or the
speaker of the house neither has it been discussed at plenary," the
source said.

But in an apparent response to growing concern among residents of the
state on the whereabouts of the Governor, his media aides have been
releasing plethora of press statements maintaining that the Governor
is on a working visit to the US.

In one of the reactions tagged: "Governor's Presence or Development",
the Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Olatunde Olabode
Richard, maintained that "Ondo State in particular" needs help, hence
the resolve of the Governor to seek assistance outside the state.

"It's not out of place to have productive engagements outside the
state, even more than within. The end result is what matters. Of what
use is Akeredolu's presence in the state when world leaders are busy
crossing borders and networking to advance the cause of their states
and countries."

In the bid to further justify the continued absence of the governor,
the Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Yemi Owolabi, in a press
statement, also stated that the Governor's trip to the US has been
fruitful.

"The governor and his team was received by top management of the
organization. MEDSHARE restated their condition. They are ready to
donate medical equipment, but the beneficiary State must provide the
logistics… Shipping and clearing"

"Determined to ensure that Ondo State benefits from MEDSHARE'S policy,
Governor Akeredolu promised to pay for the shipping and clearing for
20 containers of equipment, all for the use of the good people of Ondo
State."

Meanwhile, according to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic
of Nigeria (as amended), section 190, the Governor ought to have
transmitted a letter to the Ondo State House of Assembly, indicating
the supposed intended vacation which will enable the deputy governor
to be in acting capacity.

"Whenever the Governor transmits to the Speaker of the House of
Assembly a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or
that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office,
until he transmits to the Speaker of the House of Assembly a written
declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the
Deputy Governor as Acting Governor."

Before the supposed constitutional gaffee by the Governor, residents
of the state had already been asking on the whereabouts of the
governor with #WhereIsAketi trending within the state's social media
space.

Akeredolu has spent only seven days in the state within the month of
June and July and was last seen on the 12th of July.