By Aderemi Bamgbose
Sen. (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim, representing Ondo South Senatorial District at the 10th National Assembly, has advised the state governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu not to be in a hurry to return to Nigeria from his medical leave.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Akeredolu informed the state House of Assembly that was embarking on a 21-day medical leave from June 7 to July 6 outside the shores of Nigeria.
Ibrahim who engaged Akeredolu on telephone advised him to cancel his return ticket and take sufficient rest to recuperate.
He made this known in a statement on Sunday and made available to newsmen in Okitipupa, Ondo State.
The federal lawmaker noted that it was constitutional for the governor to transmit power to his deputy while away and return to office whenever he is back.
He gave an instance that when former President Muhammadu Buhari was away for close to six months when he was on medical leave.
“Your Excellency, Arakunrin, it is important for you to cancel the date of your return ticket and have a sufficient holiday.
“You need to rest very well so that you will be adequately fit when you return to duty.
“You are ot a machine Arakunrin, so you need ample time to rest very well having been serving the state round the clock for the past seven years.
“The governmenti of Ondo State will continue to run pending the time you will return. So, there is no need for you to be in a hurry to return.
“It is constitutional for you, as a governor, to transmit power to your deputy, when you are back, you will inform the Assembly and return to office.
“Arakunrin, there’s a precedent in this regard. President Muhammadu Buhari was away for six month while on medical leave and later returned to office.
“We know you are going to return safe to our state. Thank God you are now okay. But you need to rest very well.” he said on telephone.
Ibrahim, however, urged the people of the state to continue to pray for the governor who he described as the best governor the state has ever produced.
“I want to implore the people of Ondo State to continue to pray for our governor for his safe return, he is the best the state have ever produced since it’s creation,” Ibrahim added. (NAN)(www.nannwws.ng)