ONDO- Mr Richard Olatunde, a spokesman for Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, has said his boss is still performing his constitutional duties in office despite his continued stay in his Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
On Friday, Mr Olatunde, who spoke on Adaba 88.9 Fm, Akure, denied that government activities and developmental projects had been stalled following Mr Akeredolu’s absence from the state.
“The truth of the matter is that the governor is fulfilling his constitutional role,” said Mr Olatunde. “If anyone asserts otherwise, ask them what’s currently left undone in the state.”
He further stated, “Workers are receiving their salaries on time, and leave bonuses have been paid. Permanent Secretaries have received brand-new SUVs as official vehicles. The state is thriving.”
During the week, the opposition party and critics accused Mr Akeredolu of stalling development following his absence and continued to stay at his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State capital. Youth also issued a three-day ultimatum to the governor to resume or resign duties.
However, Mr Olatunde accused the governor’s critics of instigating a crisis by taking advantage of his absence to issue the falsehood despite executed and ongoing projects.
According to him, Mr Akeredolu’s government is currently constructing the first flyover in the state capital, the second since his first term. He added that palliatives were also distributed to residents to cushion hardship occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.
He also claimed Mr Akeredolu had approved the construction of tax stations and the recruitment of 150 staff for the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and signed the Local Council Development Area (LCDA) bill into law upon his return from medical vacation.
“In fact, after his return, the governor signed the 2023 Appropriation bill for the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) into law, following its passage by the State House of Assembly,” the governor’s spokesman said.
He also denied claims that the governor was incapacitated, as stated by the former APC national chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, saying, “Governor Akeredolu is not incapacitated.”
Mr Olatunde stressed that an incapacitated governor could not have received the current national leadership of the party on a courtesy visit.
Earlier this week, Doyin Odebowale, an aide to Mr Akeredolu of Ondo, attributed the continued stay of his principal in Ibadan to accommodation problems.
