A former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America and former minister of education, Professor Tunde Adeniran and a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs {NIIA}, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, have urged Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State to resign if he is not medically strong to govern the state.
There has been a political stalemate in the state following the absence of Gov. Akeredolu on medical grounds for months, leading to protests and counter-accusations.
The two professors made the call in telephone interviews with our correspondent in Ibadan.
Adeniran urged the governor to undergo medical examination to ascertain if he has the strength to continue, advising if he is not strong enough he can step aside and continue to guide those he steps aside for.
Adeniran said: ‘’The governor should seek medical advice if he still has the strength to continue, if he is convinced that he is strong, he can continue. If he is not strong enough, he needs to step aside and let others continue and he will be guiding them’’.
On his part, Prof. Akinterinwa who hails from Ondo State, said if the governor is physically handicapped, he could resign and hand over to his deputy governor.
The professor argued that indisposition of the governor should not be a hindrance to the continuity of governance.
Akinterinwa said: “If he is physically handicapped, why should he hold on to the state? He has the deputy.
‘’The governor was elected with the deputy. Indisposition of the governor should not be a hindrance to the continuity of governance. If he is not resigning, he should give his deputy to perform.
‘’I understand that there is a rift between him and his deputy, he should deal with issues, not personality. He can resign if his health cannot handle it’’.