The Ondo State House of Assembly has taken steps to reactivate the impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. This development comes amidst concerns raised by the Ondo Youth and Masses Conscience group over alleged plans to spread false information about the health of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. The group suspects a motive to portray the Governor as incapacitated. In response, the group has called on security agencies to remain vigilant and has announced plans for a protest against the Governor.
The decision to revive the impeachment process in the House of Assembly coincides with efforts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek a political resolution to the ongoing impasse in the state. The National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, recently visited and appealed to the conflicting parties to cease hostilities.
Earlier, the Chief Judge of the state, Olusegun Odusola, declined the Assembly’s request to establish a probe panel against Aiyedatiwa, citing an ex-parte order issued by the Abuja Federal High Court. However, in a new letter signed by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji, the Assembly has redirected the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations against the Deputy Governor.
The Assembly has emphasized that the interim injunction has expired and will no longer impede the impeachment process. In their letter, they remind the judge that the ex-parte order was issued on September 26, 2023, and that the 14-day period for the motion to discharge the order or strike out the case has elapsed. The Court has yet to address the application or renew the order, as confirmed by the Certified True Copy of the Court’s record of proceedings for October 9, 2023, and October 16, 2023.
In light of these facts, the Assembly calls on the Chief Judge to fulfill their constitutional obligation by promptly constituting the Seven-Man Panel without further delay.
