By: Oluwatosin Adesola
Coalition of some Concerned All Progressives Congress Ex-Lawmakers in Ondo State have kicked against the process of impeaching the State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the State House of Assembly.
Addressing newsmen in Akure, the former State lawmakers who spoke through Hon Abiodun Jerome, Hon Sunday Olajide, Hon Favour Tomemewo and Hon Olugbenga Omole, insisted that the current 26 lawmakers must preserve the sanctity and integrity of the State Parliament in pursuing the impeachment plot.
The ex-lawmakers said “ONDO LAWMAKERS MUST PRESERVE THE SANCTITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY. As a critical stakeholder in this entity called Ondo State, we consider it incumbent that we do not fold our arms and watch our political labour and those of our pathfinders washed away by the interest of a clique within our political system.
“The Coalition of Concerned Ex-Lawmakers who are members of All Progressives Congress has taken note of recent on-goings in the hallowed chamber of the 10th Assembly. We have noted how certain sections of the media have targeted the Deputy Governor, H.E. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa.
“We believe there is an ongoing campaign of calumny being hatched by some individuals to do the unthinkable. It will be wrong to have the sanctity of the House of Assembly dragged into such a ridiculous plot. Allegations have been made, some of which actually sit in the heart of the Assembly itself as a witness.
“We are worried that such a matter that is being investigated has found its way to the press when allegations have not even been established, and the House of Assembly is already in the bad press as though there is something fishy about the process.
“We believe the House of Assembly should rise above every reproach and distraction.We are advising current ODHA members to understand the importance of separation of powers and remember that the whole world is watching them at this critical time. Our intention is purely advisory. May we remind you, dear Honourables, that Chapter 5 Part 2 and Section 90 to 129 of the Nigerian Constitution is very clear on the Establishment of the House of Assembly and the functions of lawmakers.
“The present House of Assembly is less than 4 months old, and it’s very
unfortunate that impeachment proceeding is their priority amongst themyriads of critical issues confronting our state presently.
“The composition of the Assembly as it is has over 70% as freshers while the
3 returning members are still fighting dirty to become the Speaker even after one of them has already emerged as the Speaker, being the only ranking member from the Central Senatorial District which conforms with the zoning arrangement presently in the State that the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Speaker should come from the different senatorial districts in the State.
“As former lawmakers, we have the responsibility to point attention to all
forms of abnormalities we observe so that the general public is not misled. Although we could have ordinarily ignored the shenanigans of the orchestrators of the dastardly act, however we are compelled by the trust once held by us with the political responsibilities as representatives of our various constituencies.
“It took us this while to respond, hoping that the leadership and members of the 10th ODHA will toe the line of decency. We also thought that since the Assembly is still very fresh, members will act with honour rather than being dragged into this ongoing political embarrassment. We want to equivocally state here that the House must be careful not to dare the wrath of the people by heating up the polity.
“We have chosen to advise the assembly on the purported impeachment notice served or to be served on H. E. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
“According to the One of the facts gathered on the impeachment, it wasalleged that that the Deputy Governor approved the sum of N300M for the purchase of an armoured SUV for personal use!!! The use of the phrase “personal use” has already pre-empted the direction the purported investigation of the House will go.
“Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution explicitly explained the process and proceeding of impeachment of a Governor and a Deputy Governor. This allegation can only be baseless as it is already in the public domain that the Deputy Governor uses some of his personal cars for his official duties and none of his official car is bulletproof.
“The House of Assembly should rise beyond pettiness, it should be noted that the assembly has set itself up for public ridicule if it continues to ignore the material fact at its disposal as to how public procurement works.
“We are sure allegations like these should not stand unless the allegations are served with the evidence that proves them. The general public is aware that palliative is not administered by the office of the Deputy Governor, and he could not have been in charge of the procurement of his official vehicles let alone drawing same from funds meant for palliative.
“The Assembly must be very careful from turning themselves into a puppet in the hand of some desperate politicians. It is on this note that we challenge the present Assembly not to endorse a bad precedence by going ahead with this planned impeachment of the Deputy Governor.
“This is one impeachment too many!
Today it is Lucky, tomorrow it could be anyone. There is life after the House of Assembly. A word is enough for the wise!!!”, the former lawmakers said.
COURT STOPS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS
A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, restrained the Ondo State House of Assembly from impeaching the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling shortly after Aiyedatiwa’s counsel, Kayode Adewusi, moved the ex-parte motion to the effect, also restrained Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy governor and forwarded the same to the lawmakers for approval pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.
Justice Nwite held that after listening to Adewusi, he was of the view that the interest of justice would be met by granting the application.
“Therefore, the application of the applicant succeeds,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the embattled deputy governor had, in a motion on notice marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1294/2023, sued the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), Gov. Akeredoku, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Judge of Ondo State and the House of Assembly as 1st to 6th respondents respectively.
In the application dated and filed by Mr Adelanke Akinrata on Sept. 21, Aiyedatiwa sought four reliefs.
The judge further made an order of interim injunction restraining Akeredolu, his servants, or privies from harassing, intimidating, embarrassing, and preventing Aiyedatiwa in carrying out the functions of his office as deputy governor of Ondo State.
Justice Nwite, who granted all the reliefs adjourned the matter until Oct. 9 for hearing.
NAN reports that Aiyedatiwa had, also in another suit marked: AK/348/2023 prayed the High Court in Akure to stop the state’s house of assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed in the court on Monday.(NAN)
