Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, has asked his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to fill in for him in an acting capacity while he takes a medical leave of absence starting on Wednesday.

The governor’s spokesperson, Richard Olatunde, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The governor, who has been unwell since January, will “prioritize his health and ensure a full recovery before resuming his official duties,” according to the statement.

A formal letter regarding the medical leave and a notice formally transferring power under the Nigerian Constitution will be transmitted to the House of Assembly, according to portions of the statement.

As a highly esteemed Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Governor Akeredolu has habitually assigned authority to his deputy while on yearly vacations. When he left on prior vacations, on April 1, 2021, April 1, 2022, April 3, 2023, and July 10, 2023, this practice was noted.