Rotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, returned to work Wednesday from his home in Ibadan, Oyo State, following a three-month medical trip in Germany. 

Akeredolu spent three months in Germany receiving treatment for an unidentified illness before returning to Nigeria, on Thursday. Akeredolu met with state officials yesterday, including Olamide Oladiji, speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, and Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state's deputy governor who served as acting governor while he was away.  He also had meetings with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State at his home in Ibadan.

During the meeting, Akeredolu handed over his resumption letter to Oladiji and provided another copy to Aiyedatiwa. 

The governor said by the grace of God, he will be “alive” to complete his tenure, which will end in February 2025.“I came back yesterday, and as you know, it was a long journey. I decided that I must meet with you today,” the governor was quoted in a statement by Richard Olatunde, his media aide.

Akeredolu added: “God has answered our prayers, and we give Him all the glory. I can assure you that our return is to the glory of God and the prayers of all of you here, and those who wished us well, I thank you very much.“God has done what the majority of our people wanted. The majority of our people here knelt down and prayed for our return, and we have returned.“So, because we had to land here in Ibadan first, I said I have to meet with house of assembly members here.

“We are here, and we are back. I am back, and by the grace of God, I will be alive to complete my full tenure in office. I want to tell you that I am back, and I will resume work immediately. This is my letter of resumption.”In June, Akeredolu left Nigeria for medical attention in Germany following a letter sent to the state house of assembly of his intention to embark on a 21-day leave.

He requested that his deputy act in his stead. On July 11, Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu would resume duty after being certified fit by medical professional.The continuous stay of the Ondo governor in Germany generated concerns among the political class and residents of the state.The governor was welcomed by his close aides at his residence in Ibadan on Thursday

.Meanwhile, the Ondo chapter of the opposition PDP has slamed Akeredolu for resuming his official duties in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, where he landed. A statement made available to Journalists by the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Kennedy Peretei titled: “Akeredolu Relocates Government to Ibadan” alleged that the governor has continued his usual lack of respect for the people of Ondo State by practically relocating his government and State Assembly to his residence in Ibadan.

The party claimed that Ondo State saw numerous setbacks, ranging from internal strife to enormous sums of money being syphoned from the state treasury as medical costs, while Akeredolu was in Germany attending to his health.The party said that since Akeredolu had returned to Nigeria, his first stop should have been Ondo State, where everyone hoped for his speedy recovery and return to work. Instead, he allegedly told all Cabinet members and lawmakers to follow him to Ibadan. 

“This is very absurd and an insult on the sensibility of Ondo State people. If Akeredolu has been certified fit to resume duties, let him notify the Assembly accordingly to conclude the remainder of his tenure for which he has been barely tolerated”, PDP added.