Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ondo State, Nigeria, has once again left for Germany to continue his medical treatment for cancer. This departure marks another period where the governor has had to hand over his official duties to the Deputy Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, due to health reasons.

Akeredolu’s health issues have been a matter of public concern for some time now. He previously went on medical leave on April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, each time delegating his responsibilities to Aiyedatiwa. Despite returning to Nigeria on September 7, Akeredolu has been notably absent from Ondo State, reportedly staying in his private residence in Ibadan. This absence led to a leadership vacuum and political tension in Ondo, dividing the executive council between those loyal to Akeredolu and those siding with the deputy governor.

In an attempt to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the state, President Bola Tinubu convened a meeting with the state’s All Progressive Congress leaders and the Speaker of the Ondo State Assembly, Mr. Olamide Oladiji. The meeting, held in November, aimed to halt impeachment proceedings and withdraw court cases among the feuding parties. However, as of the latest reports, these resolutions have not been fully implemented.

Amidst these developments, Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, confirmed that the governor would be returning to Germany for treatment. During his absence, Aiyedatiwa will assume the governor’s duties in an acting capacity. This decision aligns with Akeredolu’s past practice of entrusting his deputy during his medical leaves, as observed in previous years.

Furthermore, the Ondo State Conscience Movement has called for an investigation into allegations of forgery of Akeredolu’s signature, emphasizing the serious implications such actions could have on the state’s governance. Dr. Tunji Abayomi, a legal practitioner and the Pro-chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, has highlighted that the resolution of the state’s political crisis must come from within Ondo State, not external influences.