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.
It demanded that the constitutional requirement be fulfilled not later than the next 48 hours, arguing that there should be no uncertainty over who is constitutionally responsible for exercising executive authority while the Governor remains outside the country.
“Our position is clear. It is a straightforward demand for strict adherence to the Constitution and the preservation of constitutional order,” the group said.
The coalition also urged the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly to ensure that the constitutional requirement was respected and that residents were adequately informed about the status of executive authority during Adeleke’s absence.
The group said the people of Osun State deserved certainty over who was exercising executive authority at any given time, stressing that government should not rely on assumptions, informal arrangements or administrative convenience where the Constitution provides an established procedure.
The coalition wished Adeleke a peaceful vacation and successful medical examinations but maintained that personal goodwill towards the Governor could not supersede constitutional requirements.
“The Constitution must be obeyed and the necessary action should be taken within 48 hours,” it concluded.
Osun civil society demands clarity over Gov Adeleke’s absence