Will Ondo Deputy Governor Survive Assembly’s Impeachment Move?

Fidelis David writes that Ondo State House of Assembly has commenced moves to impeach the state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over corruption allegations and wonders if the embattled number two citizen can weather the political storm.

Recent events in Ondo state have provided a fresh serving of political theatrics, featuring the political showdown between the Chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and the  deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

To be precise, last Wednesday, the Ondo State House of Assembly commenced an impeachment move against the state deputy governor, over alleged financial misappropriation bordering on the alleged approval of N300 million for the purchase of bulletproof SUV for himself, to be sourced from the Palliative fund while the approval was allegedly given when the state Governor was recuperating in Germany.

The move came following an emergency plenary session summoned by the Assembly in Akure amid heavy presence of security operatives at the Assembly gate.

The Assembly directed the Clerk of the House, Benjamin Jaiyeola, to write Aiyedatiwa over the allegations leveled against him.

The Petition which was signed by nine out of 26 Members of the 10th Assembly was read during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon Olamide Oladiji and the majority leader of the House quoted section 188 of the 1999  Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to justify the need to write the Deputy Governor over the allegation and it was seconded by a lawmaker representing Akoko South West II, Hon Tope Agbulu.

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

However, if the state Assembly succeeds in impeaching Aiyedatiwa, it means Governor Akeredolu will have served with three deputy governors for his two terms in office having fell out with two of them at different times between 2020 and 2023.

Agboola Ajayi’s Saga

Going down memory lane, Mr Agboola Ajayi, a legal practitioner and a former member of House representatives was picked as  running mate to Akeredolu in the 2016 gubernatorial election. The duo emerged victorious with over 90,000 vote margin.

Between 2017 and 2019, they had a smooth relationship but things fell apart in June, 2020.

The saga over the impeachment of Ajayi, began in July 2020, after he was accused of gross misconduct as nine lawmakers signed the impeachment notice while four others refused to sign and were thus suspended.

Thereafter, perhaps, acting on the orders from the governor, the then Commissioner of Police, Salami Amidu Bolaj in the company of armed policemen barred Ajayi from leaving his official residence in the Government House for over four hours.

Surprisingly, hours after the incident, Ajayi stormed his ward in Ese-Odo council area to resign his membership of the APC, citing irreconcilable issues between him and his principal and that the party “has become a poisoned space”, as reasons for his actions. He joined the PDP afterwards and announced his decision to run for the position of the number one office in the state.

Ajayi after joining the PDP contested in the primaries but lost the ticket to former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Eyitayo Jegede, a major challenger of Akeredolu in the 2016 and 2020 governorship elections.

Worthy of note is that in July 2020, when Ondo state legislators sought to impeach Agboola Ajayi, the State Chief Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, faulted the process and declined to set up an investigation panel.

The Coming of Aiyedatiwa

On July 29, 2020, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, picked Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a former commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as his running mate for the October 10, 2020 governorship election.

Specifically, Akeredolu said the leadership of the party decided to pick Aiyedatiwa following wide consultations and having been with the ruling party “since the beginning of this political journey in 2012”.

With the emergence of Aiyedatiwa as deputy governor, it was the very first time in the history of Ondo State that the Ilaje linguistic group produced a deputy governor.

The vast expanse of Ilaje land with its abundant resources has never had the fortune of having any of its own close to the corridors of power in the state.

However, perhaps, the experience of Ajayi didn’t guide Akeredolu’s decision in choosing Aiyedatiwa as the once rosy relationship between him and his deputy has become sour.

Trouble started when Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, disbanded the media crew attached to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, giving an indication that all may not be well between numbers one and two citizens of the sunshine state.

Besides, sources in government circle revealed that the duo are at loggerheads over an alleged betrayal of trust on the part of Aiyedatiwa. The sources also revealed that Akeredolu may reshuffle the state executive council to weed out members who were suspected to be disloyal during his absence with many aides becoming jittery over the impending reshuffle, which may take place immediately after the governor’s return to Akure.

It was also gathered that the move may not be unconnected with the rumour that Akeredolu became incapacitated few days after the governor travelled to Ibadan to observe his medical leave.

Basically, the rumours escalated due to the shades of opinions and interpretations emerging from different quarters and directions while some camps in the political circle alleged that the loyalists of the deputy governor, Aiyedatiwa, were behind the rumours about the governor’s ill health so that their principal could be fully in charge of government.

However, others claimed that the rumours were the handiwork of mischief makers among the aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket for next year’s governorship election.

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

Aside Aiyedatiwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Oludunni Odu, state Commissioner for Finance, Wale Akinterinwa among other Akeredolu’s cabinet members are aspiring to contest for next year’s governorship election.

Consequently, the polity is being heated up in such a way that the gladiators perceived one another as enemies, despite being a member of the same political party.

Akeredolu Created Aiyedatiwa’s Problem

In some states, deputy governors are reportedly reduced to the level of errand boys by the governor. But a source said in the case of Aiyedatiwa, the governor made him very relevant.

The source specifically noted that Akeredolu created problem for the deputy governor. According to him, at different fora Akeredolu had revealed that his deputy will succeed him in 2025.

“So, many supporters of Akeredolu saw it as awkward, believing that he was not part of Team Aketi and he was coming to reap from where he didn’t sow” .

He said all move by the deputy governor during the governor’s leave was viewed as an attempt to solidify his stance in the party or hijack the government.

As a result of the aforementioned, last Wednesday, the Ondo State House of Assembly commenced an impeachment plot against the state deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa over alleged financial misappropriation bordering on the alleged approval of N300 million for the purchase of bulletproof SUV for himself.

A source close to the embattled deputy governor wondered how Aiyedatiwa who has no direct involvement in the purchase of vehicles could be accused of buying such vehicles.

The source asked:  “How can the Deputy Governor who still uses his personal SUV as Staff Car be accused of purchasing N300m armoured SUV? How can the Deputy Governor who has no direct involvement in the purchase of vehicles be accused of buying such? There was no such SUV in existence and at no time did Aiyedatiwa or anyone for that matter purchase any armoured SUV for the use of his office.

“The Acting Governor did not purchase any vehicle at anytime. As at today, there is no official armoured vehicle in his convoy. In fact, the armoured Mercedes Benz SUV he uses as official car is his personal vehicle which he has been using since he became Deputy Governor.

“Since his inauguration as Deputy Governor in 2021, he is yet to get the full compliment of the vehicles for his convoy. A prado jeep for his security details and a hilux van for escort were recently added to his convoy by the governor. The Staff Car (an armoured SUV) which is supposed to be his official car has never been added to his convoy despite repeated requests for it.

“When the personal armoured SUV he uses broke down recently, his office made a request for the outstanding official car. The request was sent to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) which supervises the General Administration department in charge of such item as purchase of vehicles. The proposal has since remained between the SSG office and those in charge of procurement. Till today, there has been no order placed for the purchase of the vehicle by the office of the SSG.

“Therefore, how can the Deputy Governor who still uses his personal SUV as Staff Car be accused of purchasing N300m armoured SUV? How can the Deputy Governor who has no direct involvement in the purchase of vehicles be accused of buying such?

The truth of the matter is that nobody bought any N300m SUV anywhere at anytime and the Deputy Governor has no knowledge of such transaction anywhere. It is the office of the SSG that buys government vehicles, not the deputy or Acting Governor”.

Seven-Day Ultimatum

No doubt, the impeachment of deputy governors in Nigeria has three main actors. The first and major beneficiary of the project is always a governor who serves as the sponsor/financier of the contrived scheme. However, in the latest case in Ondo State, the House said it is not being sponsored by the governor.

The House said it has given the state Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the corruption allegations levelled against him, and he has the full right to defend himself on the issues raised.

The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Hon Olatunji Oshati, who clarified that it was not witch-hunting the deputy governor vowed that the procedure will be rooted in due process and not a hastily conducted impeachment process.

According to him: “There are allegations against the deputy governor bordering on misappropriation of funds. We are duty bound as legislators to do our job. We are not witch-hunting anybody. It is crucial that our people understand that an allegation letter does not equate to an impeachment verdict.

“Indeed, the allegation letter served to the Deputy Governor marks the initiation of the impeachment proceedings. However, it’s essential to remember that this is a procedure rooted in due process, not a hastily conducted impeachment. We are conscious of the integrity of our present assembly and will not falter in our constitutional responsibilities to our constituents.

“We wish to declare, unequivocally, that the entire process remains within the realm of allegations. We are committed to examining these allegations objectively. Our primary responsibility is to uphold the integrity of our beloved state and foster accountability and transparency, even at the highest levels of government”.

Resignation as an Option?

Some observers believe when a political office holder resigns, it gives the impression that it was more of an amicable departure.

But Aiyedatiwa seems not to be contemplating taking that exit option.

Even, stakeholders and people of the State have already advised the embattled deputy governor to honourably resign instead of being impeached. But, some politicians too were of the opinion that the removal of  Aiyedatiwa would affect Governor Akeredolu’s succession plan as people of Ondo South Senatorial District are beginning to lose interest in the governor.

Days before the House commenced the impeachment process, the deputy governor said he doesn’t intend to resign from office, declaring that his tenure will end on February 23, 2025.

He said: “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.

“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 on February 23rd, 2025”.

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 I 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.”

Now, the questions begging for answers include will Aiyedatiwa respond within seven days? Will he file a suit before a Federal High Court to stop the House probe panel? Can he survive the tsunami without a restraining court order? Will the House proceed with the impeachment process even if Aiyedatiwa files a suit before a Federal High Court?

A legal practitioner, Arijeniwa Adedoyin, believes once the procedure is followed by the State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge constitutes a panel, whose report would require the vote of two-thirds majority to pass, the impeachment of the deputy governor could scale through.

He noted that if the governor mobilizes the required majority to approve the impeachment, only very little needs to be done.

Those who are familiar with the politics of Ondo State believe Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment will not have a negative impact on who succeeds Akeredolu in the 2024 governorship election in the state.