Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is slated to begin his medical leave on Wednesday, November 13 to undergo further his medical treatment.
The deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has assumed duties as the acting governor of the state.
This was disclosed by his spokesman, Richard Olatunde, on Tuesday.
After winning reelection as the state governor in October 2020, Akeredolu—a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) president—was sworn in for a second term in office in February 2021.
The governor’s second term, which began in January 2023, hasn’t been without its difficulties, arising from his health starting in June when he needed to travel overseas for medical attention.
After spending months abroad, the 67-year-old politician returned to Nigeria in September and settled in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
Opposition parties and activists have put Governor Akeredolu under tremendous pressure to step down or transfer power to his deputy in accordance with the 1999 constitution.
Lawmakers loyal to the governor in the state House of Assembly have been at loggerheads with Aiyedatiwa, attracting the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
In the statement of Akeredolu’s spokesman, he will “prioritise his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming his official duties”.
“A formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power in line with the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly.
“As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a widely respected Nigerian, Governor Akeredolu has consistently delegated power to his deputy during his annual vacations. This practice was observed on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, when he embarked on previous vacations,” the statement partly read.