DOCTRINE OF NECESSITY: Ondo Deputy Governor Assumes Duty As Acting Governor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have agreed to invoke the doctrine of necessity in resolving the five-month-long crisis in Ondo state hoisted by the continued absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

The decision to invoke the doctrine, which permits the Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to become the Acting Governor, was reached during a closed-door meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, with Tinubu, members of Akeredolu’s cabinet and Ondo State Assembly members in attendance.

Akeredolu, who returned from Germany in September after a prolonged medical leave, has remained absent from the state after chosing to recuperate in his Ibadan residence.

The development has fueled political tension and uncertainty, promoting the need for a decisive action.

The Ondo State House of Assembly is expected to reconvene next week to formalize Aiyedatiwa’s appointment as Acting Governor of Ondo State, with full executive powers to steer the state.

The doctrine of necessity was first invoked in Nigeria in 2010 when the then Vice President of the country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, became Acting President following the prolonged absence of the then President Umar Yar’Adua.

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