President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reached a consensus to invoke the doctrine of necessity, aiming to appoint Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the embattled deputy governor, as the acting governor of Ondo State.
The decision was made during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Tinubu engaged with members of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s cabinet and Ondo State lawmakers.
Governor Akeredolu, who returned from Germany on September 7, has not been present in the state since his return, reportedly recovering at his private residence in Ibadan. With the doctrine of necessity, the Ondo State House of Assembly is expected to reconvene on Monday to confer full governing powers upon Aiyedatiwa.
The doctrine of necessity, a legal principle, justifies extraordinary actions by administrative authorities to restore order or uphold fundamental constitutional principles, even if such actions contravene established laws or conventions.
This doctrine gained prominence in Nigeria in 2010 during the health-related absence of former President Umar Yar’Adua, leading to the proclamation of Goodluck Jonathan as acting president.
Sources indicate that President Tinubu expressed concerns over the political situation in Ondo State, particularly the prolonged absence of Governor Akeredolu and the resulting internal conflicts among commissioners and lawmakers.
The decision to install Aiyedatiwa as acting governor follows an impeachment plot against him, contributing to divisions within the cabinet and the state House of Assembly.
Notably, the wife and son of Governor Akeredolu were reportedly not permitted entry into the crucial meeting where this decision was made.
The move is seen as a response to the escalating political tensions and power play within the state.
The situation in Ondo State had prompted leaders, including Pa Reuben Fasoranti of Afenifere, to appeal to Tinubu to intervene.
The political landscape had also seen conflicting statements, with some cabinet members passing a vote of confidence on Governor Akeredolu for his “exemplary leadership style,” while others abstained.
The developments revealed an underlying power struggle between the governor and his deputy, with factions within the cabinet attempting to secure support for or against each leader.
The passing of a vote of confidence on Governor Akeredolu by some cabinet members was criticized as an exercise in futility within the context of the presidential system of government practiced in Nigeria.
