The latest well-known Nigerian to address the ongoing leadership problem in Ondo State is the venerable Edwin Clark, who is pleading with President Bola Tinubu to apply the “Doctrine of Necessity” in order to find a solution.
Months have passed since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu returned from his medical vacation, and the South-West state is still dealing with a political crisis. The governor has been in Ibadan, Oyo State, since his arrival in Nigeria, where he performs his official duties.
Many doubt his health, and his absence has placed the state into a political quagmire. But in order to break the deadlock, Tinubu was ordered by Clark to adopt the same kind of action that was taken nationally while former President Musa Yar’Adua was receiving medical attention.
“In a letter to the Nigerian leader on Sunday, he said that the current impasse in Ondo State is comparable to what transpired when our beloved late President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was gravely ill and failed to transmit a letter to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 145 of the 1999 Constitution, allowing the then-Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to act as president.”
He claims that as the issue grew more severe, a group of distinguished Nigerians led by General Yakubu Gowon, a former head of state, proposed the “Doctrine of Necessity in order to solve the constitutional logjam the nation was facing.”
Clark is requesting that Tinubu take a similar stance and collaborate with all relevant parties to guarantee that “the ailing Governor of the State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu should remain in office, while the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, retaining his position, should preside over the executive.” The Senate has already taken action on it.
