The Osun Civil Society Coalition, OCSC, has called on the Osun State Government to clarify whether Governor Ademola Adeleke has formally transmitted the powers and functions of his office to his deputy, Kola Adewusi, during his ongoing vacation abroad.
The coalition made the demand in a statement signed by Comrade Waheed Lawal, Chairman, and Comrade Olowu Emmanuel, Secretary, on Tuesday, following the governor’s announcement that he had travelled to Europe for a vacation.
According to the group, “Adeleke’s statement, issued on Sunday, September 6, confirmed that he had left Nigeria and would also undergo medical examinations during his period outside the country.”
The coalition acknowledged that the Governor was constitutionally entitled to proceed on vacation but said the circumstances required clarification regarding compliance with the constitutional procedure for temporary absence.
It referred to Section 190(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, which provides for the transmission of written notification when a Governor proceeds on vacation or is otherwise unable to perform the functions of office.
The group said the provision requires the Governor to transmit a written declaration to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly concerning his temporary inability to discharge the functions of his office.
The coalition stated that the constitutional provision addresses the role of the Deputy Governor during the Governor’s absence and the circumstances under which the Deputy Governor performs the functions of Governor as Acting Governor.
It therefore called on the Osun State Government to publicly confirm whether Governor Adeleke had 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,” the coalition said.
According to the statement, “such disclosure would promote transparency and constitutional accountability in the administration of the state during the Governor’s absence”.
The coalition added that if the required constitutional procedure had not been completed, the government should take the necessary steps immediately.
Credit: dailypost.ng
