In a significant development and a new dimension to the controversies generated by the continued absence of the Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu from the State, the Ondo Redemption Front(ORF), a sociopolitical group, has filed a lawsuit against the Ondo State House of Assembly, in the Ondo State High Court in Akure, seeking an order of the court to compel the Assembly to constitute a medical panel for the assessment of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s health, pursuant to Section 189(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The lawsuit comes amid growing concerns and speculation about Governor Akeredolu’s health, which have raised questions about his ability to continue performing his duties as the state’s chief executive.
Section 189 of the Nigerian Constitution grants the State House of Assembly the authority to initiate a medical panel to assess the health of a state governor when there are doubts or concerns about their ability to perform their duties.
The suit with Motion number AK/30M/2023 filed on behalf of the group by some if its leaders, which inludes Comrade Ologun Ayodeji, Olufemi Lawson, Isijola Kike and Arogbo Olaniyi, through their lawyer, Mogbojuri Kayode Esq, is seeking an order of the court, to grant leave to the Applicants, to apply for an order of Mandamus compelling the House of Assembly, to carry out their statutory and constitutional duty on the 3rd Respondent, that is, Governor Akeredolu, as stipulated by the constitution.
The applicants in their affidavit deposed to by the 5th respondent stated that they have disclosed sufficient reasons for for the order of the court to be made to compel the Speaker ODHA to appoint medical panel to investigate the health of Mr. Akeredolu and making such order will not prejudice the interest of anyone rather, it will safeguard the Nigerian constitution. “This is not a political move, but rather a call for transparency and accountability in the governance of our dear state.”
The Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of the Assembly, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and the State’s Attorney General have been named as the defendants in the case, and the court is expected to consider the matter and make a determination in due course.
