Splinter 14 members of Ondo House of Assembly move to impeach Deputy Governor

Per Second NewsJuly 7, 2020846

…for defecting from APC to PDP

In Ondo State, a day after Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu resurfaced from the three-day COVID-19 isolation and declared he has tested negative, 14 lawmakers of the 26-member House of Assembly on Tuesday served the Deputy Governor Agboola Ajayi an impeachment notice, alleging “gross misconduct.”

Ajayi had announced his defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the People’s Democratic Party a fortnight ago to contest against Akeredolu in the October 2020 governorship poll.

PerSecondnews had reported that Ajayi had threated a court action following Akeredolu’s failure to handover to him when he tested positive for Coronavirus.

Nine members led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr lroju Ogundeji backed out of the process in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oloyelogun.

The Clerk of the House, Mr Bode Adeyelu read the notice on the floor of the chambers.

The nine lawmakers who dissociated themselves from the impeachment in their letter said : ” We the under listed elected honourable members of the 9th session of the Ondo State House of Assembly hereby append our signatures to clarify that we have resolved not to partake in the impeachment process of the Ondo State deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

” ln view of the above we hereby bring to the notice of Mr. Clerk, Mr. Adeyelu Micheal Bode, Thee entire honorable members of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the General public that we do not support the impeachment process and would not want to be associated with it based on personal convictions.They include lroju Ogundeji, Jamiu Suleiman Maito (Majority leader), Rasheed Elegbeleye, Tomide Akinrinbodo, Samuel Ademola, Favour Semilore Tomomewo, Festus Akingbaso, Adewale Adekunle and Torhukerhijo Success.

Three members abstained.

A former Speaker and Akeredolu’s campaign Director-General, Mr Victor Olabimtan, the state chairman of the party, Ade Adetimehin, and the Special Adviser to the governor on Political Matters were among others at the plenary.

According to the Speaker, the constitution empowers the assembly to investigate the allegation and proceed on impeachment if necessary on the deputy governor when necessary constitutional requirements were met.He orders the clerk to immediately serve the embattled deputy governor notice of impeachment having been signed by 14 members of the assembly.

Pandemonium had pervaded the sitting as the Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji and others not in support of the impeachment were shouted down.

Other offences of the Deputy Governor are abuse of office with action likely to bring down Ondo state government, financial recklessness, abandonment of office, official duties, and other assignments.

“Action on Sunday 21st, 2020, likely to cause a breach of peace in reference to 1983 political crisis with the intent to incite the citizens against the government of Ondo state in a video clip at Government House Ground before the Commissioner of Police Ondo State

” Publications dated Tuesday 23rd June 2020 on the new media and prints media by his sacked aides Babatope Okeowo credited to his person and office by Sahara reporters and others, maligning the credibility of the legislative arm of the government of cash inducement

” Petition from the APC, Ondo chapter on his alleged movement to the Peoples Democratic Party, having sworn in as the deputy governor on the party’s ticket with Mr. Governor for a four-year term.”

The pro-impeachment lawmakers are Aderoboye Samuel, Oladiji Olamide, Festus Adefiranye, Adeyemi Olayemi, Muhammad Oladele, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, Borokini Simeon, Gegudu Ololade, Abiodun Faleye, and Felemu Olusegun.

Others are Akintomide Akinrogunde, Towase Kuti, Oluyede Olusola and Akinruntan Abayomi.