Ondo State lawmakers initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Wednesday, despite previous denials of any such plans. Aiyedatiwa had firmly asserted last week that he would not resign from his role in Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration, urging lawmakers to disregard rumors of his resignation.
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In a surprising twist, lawmakers summoned an emergency plenary session, prompting heightened security measures around the Assembly complex. Security agencies were deployed along the road leading to the complex, with personnel conducting thorough vehicle searches at the gate.
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It has been reported that an overwhelming majority of 23 out of 26 lawmakers have already signed the impeachment notice directed at the Deputy Governor. During the plenary session, a petition, signed by nine lawmakers, was presented before the assembly.
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Honorable Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, moved a motion emphasizing the need for the Assembly to adhere to Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution. This section requires the Assembly to inform Aiyedatiwa of the “gross misconduct” against him.
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According to him:
“I rise to move a motion of allegation of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa. I hereby move a motion that this House shall write to the Deputy Governor on the allegations against him.”
Honorable Tope Angbulu, a lawmaker from the PDP representing Akoko Southwest Constituency II, lent his support to the motion by seconding it.
Speaker Olamide Olajide said:
“The motion has been moved and duly seconded according to section 188 that this House should do the needful on allegations of misconduct against Aiyedatiwa.”
The Speaker, in response to the allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor, instructed the House Clerk, Benjamin Jaiyeola, to formally communicate these allegations to the Deputy Governor.
It has been reported that the Deputy Governor is under investigation for suspected gross misuse of his office, particularly in relation to the alleged approval of N300 million for the purchase of a bulletproof SUV for personal use. This approval allegedly took place while Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was in Germany for medical treatment.
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According to sources, Aiyedatiwa purportedly directed the utilization of the N300 million from the federal government’s palliative fund, which was intended to assist impoverished citizens.
Tensions between Aiyedatiwa and Governor Akeredolu escalated shortly after the Governor’s departure to Ibadan for rest before embarking on a three-month medical vacation.
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It is alleged that during this period, the Deputy Governor began rallying support from some cabinet members, possibly in anticipation of a scenario where the Governor might not return.
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