Ondo State Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (OSCOCSO) has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Ondo State House of Assembly to declare deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa as acting governor or face mass protest.
It also invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate allegations of theft and funds mismanagement in the state.
The OSCOCSO said its ultimatum was due to a constitutional crisis in the state following the governor’s prolonged absence from office due to ill health.
The executive director of Life and Peace Development Organization (LAGDO), Franklyn Oloniju, who spoke at a joint press briefing in Akure, said it was alarming that the Ondo Assembly failed to activate relevant constitutional provisions to appoint Aiyedatiwa as acting governor even after the peace move facilitated by President Bola Tinubu.
Oloniju said the Ondo Assembly’s inaction was a dereliction of duty and a violation of Section 190 of Nigeria’s constitution (as amended).
He stated that the governor’s prolonged absence has created a vacuum in the leadership of the state, leaving the government rudderless and unable to effectively address the pressing issues facing the people of Ondo state.
He said: “The failure of the House of Assembly to act promptly has exacerbated this crisis and is causing unnecessary hardship and uncertainty for the people of Ondo state.
“We call on the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately redress this lacuna and own up to its constitutional duty by designating the Deputy Governor as Acting Governor. This is essential to restore normalcy, ensure continuity of governance, and protect the interests of the people of Ondo State.
“We are equally alarmed by the ongoing stories of forgery, theft of public funds, mismanagement among other malfeasance fueling public anxiety to know who is really constitutionally mandated to be responsible and give account on how the resources of the State are been managed in the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
“Failure to correct this lacuna in the next two weeks will result in mass action. The civil society organization and other well-meaning organizations including individuals will be mobilized to protest at the House of Assembly until the right thing is done.
“We are using this press conference as a heads-up to the security apparatus in the state to note and hold the State House of Assembly responsible for any civil action that may arise from their inaction.
“We earnestly urge the Ondo State House of Assembly to act immediately and decisively to resolve this constitutional crisis to ensure stability and good governance in Ondo State.”
President Tinubu had intervened in the Ondo crisis by asking that the status quo remain.
