A human rights lawyer, Allen Sowore, has urged the Ondo State House of Assembly to invoke the doctrine of necessity in order to navigate the political impasse stemming from the absence of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the impeachment move against his embattled deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Sowore affirmed that the doctrine of necessity is in compliance with Section 190 (2) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the legal doctrine was previously applied during the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan.
He added that the call for the adoption of the doctrine follows the continued absence of Akeredolu in the state since announcing his return from medical leave.
Sowore maintained that Akeredolu’s deputy, who should ordinarily fill in for him in his absence, cannot do so due to frequent travels around the country to avoid a potential impeachment by the State Assembly.
“It is no secret that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has been absent and unavailable to perform his duties since April 3, 2023, leaving the state without governance and direction.
“His recent staged return from Germany and the subsequent submission of a resumption letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly have exposed the challenges the cabal has been hiding from the people. Since this orchestrated return, no one in the state has seen or heard from the governor.
“Hence, it is imperative and patriotic for the State House of Assembly to utilise and invoke the various provisions in the Constitution under these circumstances, specifically.”
