The Osun Civil Society Coalition has demanded an immediate clarification from the Osun State Government on whether Governor Ademola Adeleke has formally transmitted the powers and functions of his office to the Deputy Governor, following the Governor’s announcement that he has left Nigeria for a vacation in Europe.
The Governor’s official statement, released on Sunday 6th September, clearly confirms that he has proceeded on vacation outside the country and will also undertake medical examinations during the period.
While the Governor is constitutionally entitled to proceed on vacation, the coalition considers it necessary for the government to clarify whether the constitutional procedure governing the temporary absence of a Governor has been fully complied with.
Section 190(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, provides that whenever a Governor is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to that effect.
The Constitution further provides that, until such declaration to the contrary is transmitted, the Deputy Governor shall perform the functions of the Governor as Acting Governor.
In view of this clear constitutional provision, we therefore call on the Osun State Government to publicly confirm whether Governor Ademola Adeleke has transmitted the required written declaration to the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly.
If such a declaration has been transmitted, the government should make this fact known to the people of Osun and indicate when the transmission was made, in the interest of transparency and constitutional accountability.
However, if the required constitutional step has not been taken, we demand that it be done immediately and not later than the next 48 hours, so that there is no ambiguity whatsoever regarding who is constitutionally responsible for the discharge of the functions of the Governor while he is away from the State and country.
Our position is clear. It is a straightforward demand for strict adherence to the Constitution and the preservation of constitutional order.
The people of Osun State deserve certainty as to who is exercising executive authority at any given time. Government must not operate on assumptions, informal arrangements or administrative convenience where the Constitution has expressly provided a procedure.
We therefore urge the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly to also ensure that the constitutional requirement is respected and that the people of the State are not left in doubt about the status of executive authority during the Governor’s absence.
We wish Governor Adeleke a peaceful vacation and successful medical examinations. However, personal goodwill towards the Governor cannot take precedence over constitutional requirements.
The Constitution must be obeyed. The right thing must be done. And it must be done within the next 48 hours.
Signed:
Comrade Dr Waheed Lawal,
Chairman
Comrade Olowu Emmanuel
Secretary
