A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kayode Ajulo, on Monday, alleged that some officials within Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration were signing documents on behalf of the unwell governor.
Ajulo, the Principal Partner at Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law, conveyed this message while participating in the Arise Television Morning Show program.
He underscored that Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot constitutionally step into the governor’s role, given that official power transfer has not occurred. Ajulo expressed concern that this situation creates an opening for influential individuals to potentially take control of state governance.
He said, “I have it on good authority as a lawyer. Some of the commissioners, about five of them, sent memos to the governor, and they all returned with approval.”
“Going through the approval compared to what the governor had approved when he was hale (sic) and hearty, there are notable disparities in them.”
“The Police and Administration of Justice Act has made it clear that there can be private investigators into the issue as such, and they have been contacted, but their results after the investigation are so damning.”
“The purported signature is not from the governor. It is so apparent.”
The lawyer asserted that it is crucial to embrace the doctrine of necessity, enabling the deputy governor to assume authority until the governor resumes office.
Ajulo highlighted that there is a presumption of the governor’s incapacitation, emphasizing that the only way to counter it is by presenting Governor Akeredolu.
“Why are some people sitting on the provisional constitutions? It is obvious that some people are holding the state by the jugular and using the present situation to loot the state’s wealth.”
“DSS recently has been going around. Other security agencies should embrace the same. Questions bordering on the missing N7.5 billion in the state should be asked, and who gave the approval should not be left out.”
“The governor owes it a duty to speak with his people if he can since his health status is being funded with the same taxpayers’ money, or he should do the necessary constitutional duties, which is to delegate power to his deputy.”
“His deputy was selected by him and possibly his party members before he ran for office. I don’t think he would have selected someone he had no trust in,” he added.
On November 25, The PUNCH reported the potential resolution of the months-long leadership crisis in the state, with President Bola Tinubu intervening and urging opposing factions to embrace peace and uphold the status quo.
In response, the Deputy Governor committed to inclusivity by involving all commissioners and officials in managing the state’s affairs. Additionally, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Oladiji Olamide, decided to cease all impeachment efforts against Aiyedatiwa.
Tinubu held a meeting with state officials, including members of the All Progressives Congress.
Aiyedatiwa, expressing his commitment to maintaining the status quo and fostering unity among the factions, stated, “I want to say that I pledge to all of you that I embrace every one of you. I put behind all that has happened before now. I’ve let go and also let God, just as the President has advised us.”
“And I want to say that no offence, no guile in my mind whatsoever. All that has happened is politics. Impeachment is part of politics. If you survive it, it is also politics. It has come. I’ve survived it and every other thing in his past.”