A coalition of civil society organisations in Osun State has called on the state government to clarify whether Governor Ademola Adeleke formally transferred the functions of his office to his deputy before travelling to Europe on vacation.
The coalition, in a statement issued in Osogbo on Tuesday, demanded that the government disclose whether Adeleke transmitted a written declaration to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, as required by the 1999 Constitution.
The group said the governor’s absence should not create uncertainty over who is constitutionally authorised to exercise executive powers in the state.
The statement, signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Dr. Waheed Lawal, and Secretary, Olowu Emmanuel, followed Adeleke’s announcement that he had travelled to Europe for a vacation, during which he would also undergo medical examinations.
While acknowledging the governor’s right to take a vacation, the CSOs questioned whether the constitutional procedure for transmitting his functions had been followed before his departure.
They cited Section 190(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which requires a governor who is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of office to transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The coalition therefore urged the state government to publicly confirm whether the required declaration was transmitted and, if so, state the date it was sent.
It said such disclosure would promote transparency, constitutional accountability and certainty over the exercise of executive authority during the governor’s absence.
The CSOs further gave the government 48 hours to complete the constitutional process if no written declaration had been transmitted.
The coalition stressed that its position was not politically motivated, but was aimed at ensuring constitutional compliance and continuity of government.
“The people of Osun State deserve certainty as to who is exercising executive authority at any given time,” the group said.
It also urged the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly to ensure compliance with the constitutional provision and prevent any ambiguity over executive authority while the governor remains outside the country.
The coalition cautioned against relying on informal arrangements or administrative assumptions where the Constitution provides a specific procedure for the transfer of executive functions.
The demand is expected to spark further debate in Osun State over the constitutional implications of a governor travelling outside the country and the formal requirements for the exercise of executive authority in his absence.