As the prolonged absence of the ailing Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo continues to generate harsh reactions, renowned human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has declared a massive protest against the governor in the state.

In a terse statement on his X handle, Mr Sowore stated that Mr Akeredolu, who has been away from Ondo for more than four months, should either “resume or resign” from office or face the anger of the citizens of the state.

“Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu must resign now. #RevolutionNow. All persons of conscience should join us in starting to #OccupyOndoState until the state is liberated from hungry wolves.

“There will be a town hall meeting and the beginning of street protests in Akure and across Ondo state on Saturday, December 16th, 2023. All persons of conscience are invited,” he said.

The activist’s statement against Mr Akeredolu, who continues to cling to power despite his health, comes amid the dissatisfaction of residents of the state over the governor’s prolonged absence.

Mr Akeredolu, who returned from a medical vacation in Germany in September, has yet to resume official duties. Instead, he continues to govern Ondo remotely from his private residence in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state.

Many cabinet members have confirmed repeatedly how important official files are being transported to Ibadan for the governor’s assent and approval.

This development has prompted multiple calls from critics and members of the opposition party, asking the governor to consider resigning from office since his health impedes his ability to govern the state. They urge him to hand over power to his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Mr Sowore, in his message, asked residents of the state to turn out for a town hall meeting scheduled for the weekend in the state capital, stressing that they must “occupy” the state in a street protest.

Although the commissioner for information and orientation in Ondo, Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, recently explained why Mr Akeredolu would not resign from his position despite his health challenges.

Ms Ademola-Olateju, who appeared on Arise TV last week, disclosed that the governor was not “incapacitated” as reported, adding that there was no need for him to resign.

While revealing that the governor still performs all his duties, including attending to memos and being in touch with cabinet members outside the state, the commissioner said Mr Akeredolu has refused to attend social events, including weddings, at the moment.

“The governor is not incapacitated; I still maintain that. He would have easily done the needful. The governor still gives approvals. No issue other than the heightened political issues.

“The governor is still recuperating, having gone through a very bad illness. I can’t come here and lie—I know Nigerians are watching—that the governor can run and play tennis. That is not true.

“The governor is still recuperating. His psychomotor, affective, and cognitive skills are still intact, but he’s not as strong as he was in the past,” Ms Ademola-Olateju stated.

When pressed about the nature of Mr Akeredolu’s ill health, she revealed that “It’s not a very good illness. I think it’s a somatic problem (related to the body, especially as distinct from the mind). He has lost some weight, and he once told us that after 40, nobody is well.”

President Bola Tinubu intervened last month in the political impasses among the cabinet members that emerged due to the long absence of the governor following the move by the House of Assembly to impeach Mr Aiyedatiwa.

Mr Tinubu, who met with the members of the state’s cabinet in Abuja, further fueled the crisis when he declared that the “status quo” should be maintained. He insisted that Mr Akeredolu, who is now bedridden, should continue holding on to power despite being incapacitated.