The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic (PDP) in Ondo have traded words ahead of Monday’s planned protest to demand Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s resignation.

The planned protest followed the continued absence of the governor from the state since his return from a medical trip abroad. 

On September 7, Mr Akeredolu returned to Nigeria from his three-month medical vacation in Germany after falling sick with an undisclosed ailment. 

A day after his return, he announced his official assumption of office. However, Mr Akeredolu has stayed in his private residence in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, where he has been receiving briefings from cabinet members. 

This development has forced the PDP and critics of Mr Akeredolu to call for a protest by Monday by demanding his resignation from office. 

In a reaction on Sunday, the APC, in a statement by Alex Kalejaye, its spokesman, alleged that PDP was organising the protest to create political instability in the state. 

“It has come to our knowledge that some PDP chieftains, who have started making huge contributions, in collaboration with some players within our fold, have finalised plans to destabilise the sunshine state,” said Mr Kalejaye.

He added, “It is imperative to state that any political gathering or activity at this time could easily be hijacked beyond the control and capacity of the organisers.”

Mr Kalejaye asked the security agencies to be alerted by the antics of the opposition party in the state. 

He, however, argued that Mr Akeredolu had been discharging his official duties and responsibilities without any hitch, irrespective of his location.

“We are very optimistic that our governor, your performing Governor, will be in our midst in a matter of days,” he assured. 

In a statement by its spokesperson, Kennedy Peretei, PDP wondered why APC was comfortable with the continued absence of the governor in the state since his return to Nigeria. 

Mr Peretei alleged that the APC was “populated by shameless people.”

“The PDP is known for its peaceful and developmental strides in the state. We cannot be accused of planning to create a crisis in the state. 

“It is clear that APC is afraid of their own shadows, having failed to meet the expectations of the people.

“If they know where Akeredolu is, they should ask him to come out or resign honourable,” he added. 

On Saturday, two activists, Odunyemi Adegboola and Isreal Taiwo, wrote the State House of Assembly to set up a team of medical experts to determine the fitness of Mr Akeredolu’s continued stay in office.