The Ondo State House of Assembly is embroiled in a crisis over the move by some lawmakers to continue the impeachment process against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, despite the political solution proffered by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The crisis came to a head on Friday when 12 lawmakers led by the spokesman of the Assembly, Oshati Olatunji, wrote to the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, urging him to disregard a recent letter by the Speaker, Oladiji Olamide, requesting him to constitute a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Aiyedatiwa.
In their letter, the 12 lawmakers said the Speaker’s letter did not emanate from any of the sittings of the House and was taken without their knowledge. They also noted that the order of interim injunction restraining the Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment process is still subsisting and has not been vacated or set aside.
The lawmakers accused the Speaker of acting unilaterally and without due consultation with the rest of the House. They said they were committed to exploring the reconciliatory move initiated by the APC leadership and would not do anything to jeopardise the peace and unity of the state.
“In the light of the foregoing, we the undersigned members of Ondo State House of Assembly wish to dissociate ourselves from the letter titled: Request to Constitute a Seven-man Panel to Investigate the Allegation of Gross Misconduct Against the Deputy Governor of Ondo State,” the lawmakers said.
Those that signed the letter were Hon. Japheth Oluwatoyin, Hon. Jide Oguntodu, Hon. Tiamiyu Fatai Atere, Hon. Gbegudu Ololade, Hon Allen Oluwatoyin, Hon. Abitogun Stephen, Hon. Tope Komolafe, Hon. (Barr) Afe Felix, Hon. Oladapo Biola and Hon. Fayemi Olawumi.
