Less than 24 hours after his arrival to Nigeria from a foreign medical trip, the Peoples Democratic Party in Ondo has slammed Governor Rotimi Akeredolu for shunning Akure for Ibadan and running Ondo state from there.

On Thursday, Mr Akeredolu returned from Germany after being treated for an undisclosed, protracted ailment.

His wife, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, posted Mr Akeredolu’s photograph on a private jet to confirm his return to the country.

PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kennedy Peretei, on Friday, described Mr Akeredolu’s heading to his Ibadan residence, shunning Akure as a “lack of respect” for the people of Ondo. 

“Mr Akeredolu, SAN, governor of Ondo state, has continued in his usual lack of respect for the people of Ondo state by practically relocating his government and state assembly to his residence in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital,” the opposition party said. 

PDP added that while Mr Akeredolu was away in Germany, attending to his health, Ondo suffered “multidimensional setbacks” from infighting to a huge amount of money allegedly siphoned from the state’s treasury as medical expenses. 

It said Mr Akeredolu should have made Ondo his first point of call, considering how residents in the state prayed for his quick recovery. 

“Instead, he headed for Ibadan and instructed all state cabinet members and state assemblymen to join him. This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of the Ondo State people,” said PDP. 

The party added, “If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he had been barely tolerated.” 

On June 7, Mr Akeredolu announced he was embarking on a 21-day medical trip in Germany. He failed to return to Nigeria after the expiration of the period, with several controversies generated due to his absence.

Following the furore, on July 15, Mr Akeredolu officially handed over to Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in an acting capacity.