The Ondo State chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has uged the state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, to hand over power to its deputy.

The party made the call on Thursday, stressing that it will prevent constitutional crisis in the state.

Akeredolu who is reportedly struggling with his health is expected to hand over to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

In a statement by the Ondo State SDP Chairman, Stephen Adewale, he said while the party continued to pray for Akeredolu’s recovery, “the state should not and cannot be left without a constitutional head in an acting capacity while he (Akeredolu) is away attending to his health.”

The opposition party stated that President Bola Tinubu had two meetings with state governors who were elected on the APC platform in the previous week, but Akeredolu was neither there nor represented.

“During each of those meetings, matters of national importance were discussed. Nearly all the governors were in attendance, and those who could not make it had their deputies fill in for them.

“The only state that was conspicuously missing, in terms of representation at the two meetings, is our dear Ondo State,” the SDP said.

It called on the people of Ondo to raise their voices “on the increased level of uncertainty that hovered around the governance of our dear Sunshine State before it is too late.”

The SDP added that “What began as a candlelight blaze is quickly snowballing into a sizable forest fire. And if we do not act quickly, history will not be kind to all of us who knew the incredible power of voice but chose silence.

“The SDP in Ondo State understands Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s health condition, for which we have been praying for a speedy recovery. However, the state should not and cannot be left without a constitutional head in an acting capacity while he is away attending to his health.

“As we write this, our dear governor has refused to hand over to his deputy in an acting capacity while his whereabouts remain unknown.”

The party asked Akeredolu to “immediately hand over constitutionally delegate power to the deputy in acting capacity so as to keep the state running effectively. And if he is strong enough to preside over the affairs of the state as his people claimed, then it is well past time for Governor Akeredolu to show up and prove the doubting Thomases wrong.

“We also call on every relevant stakeholder and patriots in the state to ensure that unnecessary and avoidable constitutional crisis in the management and functioning of the state government did not ensue.”

Recall that i-News reported that the Ondo State Government debunked rumors regarding the governor’s death which went viral last week.

Earlier on Thursday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, also rejected a media report indicating a division among Akeredolu’s cabinet over the governor’s noticeable absence.

Ademola-Olateju described the report as wicked, while insisting that “the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, (SAN), is not incapacitated” as reported.

“The cabinet cannot be ‘disunited’ when directives emanate from the office of the Governor. There is no ambiguity in that respect. We reiterate that the governor has been discharging the functions of his office effectively. Governance requires collectivity. The fixation on the governor is mischievous. There is no crisis in the state. Political jobbers should steer clear,” the statement clarified.