Jimoh Ibrahim, senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District, has advised ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to rest more by attending to his fragile health instead of rushing back to govern the state.
Speaking in a telephone chat at the weekend, Mr Ibrahim specifically told Mr Akeredolu to take a clue from the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, who was out of the country for many months to attend to his health and only returned when he was fit.
“Arakunrin (Akeredolu), there is a precedent in this regard. President Muhammadu Buhari was away for six months while on medical leave and later returned to office.
“Your Excellency (Akeredolu), it is important for you to cancel the date of your return ticket and have a sufficient holiday. You need to rest very well so that you will be adequately fit when you return to duty,” he urged the Ondo governor.
Mr Akeredolu, currently sick and battling an undisclosed ailment, has been outside the state, attending to his health challenges.
Sources have also confirmed that the Ondo governor is currently abroad, where he’s receiving treatment.
Recall that the governor, last month, announced that he was embarking on a 21-day “medical leave” and would be handing over the reins of his office to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, pending when he would return.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, ailing Mr Akeredolu said the leave, which started on June 7, would end by July 6, 2023, when he would thereafter return to office.
Mr Ibrahim, however, told the governor to cancel his return date, especially his flight ticket, and take sufficient rest abroad before returning to Nigeria, where he aims to resume duty.
According to the Senator, it is still within the confine of the constitution to transmit power to his deputy, Mr Aiyedatiwa, while he (the governor) is still away until he returns to office.
“You are not a machine, Arakunrin, so you need ample time to rest very well, having been serving the state round the clock for the past seven years.
“The government of Ondo state will continue to run pending the time you will return. So, there’s no need for you to be in a hurry to return.
“It is constitutional for you, as a governor, to transmit power to your deputy. When you are back, you will inform the Assembly and return to the office,” Mr Ibrahim further advised.
While urging the people to continue in their prayers for the quick recovery of Mr Akeredolu, the Ondo senator confirmed that the governor was recuperating fast from his ailment.
