Ondo Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings against Deputy Governor

Fidelis David in Akure

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Wednesday commenced impeachment proceedings against the state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa over an allegation of gross misconduct, among other impeachable offences.

This comes following an emergency plenary session summoned by the Assembly in Akure amidst heavy presence of Security operatives at the Assembly gate.

THISDAY gathered that other allegations against the deputy governor include abuse of office with actions likely to bring down Ondo State government.

It was learnt that Aiyedatiwa allegedly approved millions of naira for the purchase of a bulletproof SUV for his personal use to be sourced from the Palliative fund while the approval was allegedly given while the state Governor was recuperating in Germany.

Therefore, the Assembly directed the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola to write the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa over the allegations leveled against him.

The Petition which has been signed by nine out of 26 Members of the 10th Assembly was read during the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

Earlier, the Majority leader of the House quoted section 188 of the Nigeria Constitution to justify the need to write the Deputy Governor over the allegation and it was seconded by a lawmaker representing Akoko South West II, Tope Agbulu.

Thereafter, the speaker ruled that the Deputy Governor should be served a letter after the lawmakers voted unanimously.

However, the Deputy Governor is yet to reply to the decision of the lawmakers as a source close to him said he has not received the impeachment notice.

Meanwhile, sources in government circle revealed that the Governor and his deputy are at loggerheads over an alleged betrayal of trust on the part of Aiyedatiwa. 

Besides, there was a noticeable crack in the state cabinet with some members pitching their tent with the Deputy governor while some distanced themselves from the Deputy governor while the cold war within the state cabinet was attributed to an alleged bid by Aiyedatiwa to succeed Akeredolu in office in 2024. 

As a result of this, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu two days after returning from his three-month medical vacation in Germany, disbanded the media crew attached to the Office of his Deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa,  indicating that all was not well between the numbers one and two citizens of the sunshine state.

The affected aides include: Press Secretary to the Governor, Kenneth Odusola; Special Assistant to Governor (New Media) Okunniga Oladipupo; and Special Assistant to the Governor (Photography) Abayomi Samson Adefolalu. 

Recall that, last Friday, the deputy governor debunked rumour that he had resigned from office, declaring that his tenure will end on February 23, 2025, saying, “I wish to state that I, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State have not, do not intend and will not sign/author any letter resigning my position as the duly elected Deputy Governor in a joint ticket with my principal the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu SAN, CON.

“I took an oath the day I was sworn in along with Mr. Governor on February 24th, 2021 to protect the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a four year mandate which terminates in February 23rd, 2025”, he stressed.

Aiyedatiwa who reiterated his loyalty to Akeredolu added that he remains calm and committed to the duties of his office and unruffled by the lies of desperate politicians and their agents. 

“I remain loyal to my Principal and stand by the oath took with the Bible to run the full cycle of the four year tenure with Mr. Governor. To this end, I urge the people of Ondo State, the State Assembly and the general public to disregard such letter now and in the future”, Aiyedatiwa said.