The opposition People’s Democratic Party in Ondo state has called on the Ondo State House of Assembly to begin the impeachment process of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for violating the 1999 Constitution.

The PDP alleges that Akeredolu has been absent from the state for nearly six months and that this absence is affecting governance.

The party also claims that Akeredolu has not convened a State Executive Council meeting in months, in violation of Section 193(2) of the Constitution.

The PDP has urged the state House of Assembly to invoke Section 189(1) of the Constitution to institute a medical panel to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.

In a statement issued in Akure, the state Publicity Secretary of the party Kennedy Peretei, said that “The time has come for the Ondo State House of Assembly to immediately begin the impeachment process of Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN for violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

“It is no longer news that Ondo State has been on auto-pilot for nearly six months, grounding all activities of the government due to the ill health of the Governor.

“Unfortunately, rather than tell the citizens the truth, most of Akeredolu’s handlers have resorted to insulting the sensibilities of the people by making a public show of their ignorance. The handling of Akeredolu’s condition by his aides has robbed the Governor of public sympathy.

” The Constitution envisaged that,  it is possible for a State Governor to be ill or incapacitated as it is the case with Akeredolu now and therefore made safeguards.

“Section 193(2) states expressly that “the Governor of a state shall hold regular meetings with the Deputy Governor and all Commissioners of the Government of the State for the purposes of determine the general direction of policies of the state” amongst other provisions.

“When was the last time Akeredolu held a State Executive Council meeting? It is not a crime to be ill, but that will not be reason an entire state must be brought to her knees.

” The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Ondo State Chapter calls on the State Assembly to invoke sections 189(1) to cause a Medical Panel to be instituted to ascertain Akeredolu’s medical status and do the needful in the interest of the people of the state.

“Our party wishes to urge the Governor’s aides to stop ridiculing themselves by defending the indefensible and standing logic on its head.

However, the state House of Assembly has dismissed the PDP’s call for impeachment, saying that Akeredolu has been performing his constitutional duties and has not breached any aspect of the Constitution.

The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Honorable Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said that the Assembly has noted ongoing developmental projects across the state, including prompt payment of salaries and clearing of backlog of salary arrears.

Ogunmolasuyi also said that the PDP is not in the know whether the State Executive Council meeting has held or not, and that the Governor is doing his duties.