Nigeria’s political leadership once again misses an opportunity to elevate democratic governance to global standards. In Ondo State, where governance has been in disarray for the past six months due to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s illness and absence from office, the political elite—led by President Bola Tinubu—have prioritized party loyalty over the well-being of the state’s five million residents. The result is a state teetering between stagnation and crisis, with governance in a near standstill.

Governor Akeredolu has been seriously ill for over a year, during which time he has frequently been absent from duty. Initially, he relocated to Ibadan, Oyo State, attempting to manage the affairs of Ondo from afar. He later traveled to Germany for treatment, spending three months abroad. Upon his return to Nigeria, rather than resuming full-time governance, Akeredolu returned to Ibadan, where his family and aides are maintaining the pretense that he is still running Ondo State. This has exacerbated political tensions, particularly as the governor’s supporters have harassed Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, including attempts by the state legislature to impeach him.

Despite his previous status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akeredolu has failed to uphold constitutional principles. The Nigerian Constitution provides clear guidelines: a governor can hand over power to the deputy by notifying the state’s House of Assembly (ODHA) or resign if medically incapacitated. Yet, Akeredolu continues to hold onto power, deepening the political deadlock and leaving the state without effective governance at a time when economic and security challenges demand immediate attention.

This inertia at the top of Ondo State’s government has been compounded by President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Rather than acting in the public interest, they have chosen to maintain the status quo, preserving Akeredolu’s governorship while halting any impeachment moves against Aiyedatiwa. This decision does nothing to resolve the core issue: Ondo State is without a fully functioning government. The APC’s intervention underscores the troubling trend in Nigerian politics of prioritizing party unity over governance and the rule of law.

Nigeria has faced similar governance crises in the past, most notably with former President Umaru Yar’Adua’s prolonged illness in 2009. In that case, aides and family members attempted to keep power within a small inner circle, leading to a political standoff that was only resolved when the “doctrine of necessity” allowed Vice President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the presidency. Likewise, Muhammadu Buhari’s frequent medical leaves during his presidency, without formal handover to his deputy, also left the country adrift for long stretches. This trend has been mirrored in state politics as well, including the cases of former Governors Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River), both of whom left their states leaderless during extended absences.

The situation in Ondo must not follow this harmful precedent. While illness is unavoidable and should elicit sympathy, it is clear that Akeredolu’s ongoing incapacity prevents him from fulfilling the demands of his office. In the interest of good governance and the people of Ondo State, Akeredolu should step down and focus on his recovery. His continued stay in office benefits neither the state nor his own health. As a former NBA leader and advocate for strong governance, Akeredolu should recognize that stepping aside is the most responsible course of action.

The Ondo State House of Assembly and the State Executive Council have a constitutional duty to act if Akeredolu refuses to step down voluntarily. They should initiate the necessary legal steps to remove him from office due to medical incapacitation if he does not relinquish his position.

Ultimately, good governance requires accountability and selflessness. By stepping down, Akeredolu would not only uphold democratic principles but also ensure that Ondo State can move forward under effective leadership during this critical period.