The days of Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, in office may be numbered.
The House of Assembly yesterday took another major step in actualising his removal from office.
It directed the Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, to raise a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.
The House of Assembly’s decision followed Ayedatiwa’s failure to respond to the Letter of Notice served him on September 25 over the allegations.
The allegations include subversion of his boss, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, corrupt enrichment and waste of public fund, spending N5.4 million to buy tyres and batteries for his convoy vehicles, and
purchasing automatic transmission box of Lexus (armoured) SUV Staff car as Acting Governor for N10.548m.
Other allegations are collection of N2.695m for the purpose of travelling to Ilaje and Ese-Odo, and assault and causing bodily harm on his wife, Mrs. Oluwaseun Ayedatiwa, contrary to Section 20(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law of Ondo State, 2020.
The Speaker said the Letter of Notice transmitted to the deputy governor, was received on his behalf by the Chief Protocol Officer.
Last week, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje set up a reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis between the deputy governor and the House of Assembly. The panel has not visited the state.
Speaking at the plenary session in Akure, Oladiji said the House’s resolution that the deputy governor should be duly served a notice of the allegations was in line with Section 188 of the constitution.
He said: “Concerted efforts were made to serve the Notice on the deputy governor, who for some time was not available for the service, prompting the House to approach the court for a substituted service.
“On 25th of September, a substituted service of the Notice of allegations was made on the deputy governor duly signed by more than one-third Honourable Members of the House as required by the constitution in Section 188, Sub-section 2.”
Oladiji said the constitution stipulated that the Assembly should wait for seven days for the embattled deputy governor to respond, which has lapsed.
A motion calling on the chief judge to set up the panel was moved by the Majority Leader Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, (Owo 1-APC) and seconded by Felix Afe (Akoko North West 2-PDP).
With an overwhelming voice vote, the lawmakers gave a nod that the chief judge should constitute the panel, after Speaker Oladiji’s call.
The Speaker subsequently directed the Chief Judge to immediately set up a seven-man panel to investigate the deputy governor on the allegations levelled against him.
Oladiji said: “Distinguished colleagues, I, therefore, wish to seek your opinion to direct the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon. Justice Olusegun Odusola, to, in line with this section of the constitution, set up a seven-man panel to investigate the deputy governor on the allegations levelled against him.”
Some Ondo APC leaders said the move by the National Working Committee (NWC) to avert the impeachment of the deputy governor may not succeed because party stakeholders in the state have agreed that Ayedatiwa should go.
However, the state chairman, Ade Adetimehin, said the chapter would work with the national body for the resolution of the impasse.
A source said many aides who sided with Ayedatiwa, especially those already penciled to be deputy governor, Chief of Staff, Secretary to Government by him may be sacked soon.
A traditional priest, Chief Olupelumi Fagboyegun, has urged the party stakeholders to exercise caution.
Fagboyegun, founder of Isese Life Ministry, United Kingdom, told reporters in Osogbo, Osun State capital, that Ondo State should not thread the path of violence.
He said: “In 1963, political wrangling led to uprising, which my own father, the late Rev Canon Fagboyegun, vigorously mediated, but failed. It led to total breakdown of law and order, resulting to death within Owo and Usho town. It later escalated to what is known as ‘Operation Wet eh’ in Southwest which led to a chain of reactions, which culminated in the termination of the First Republic.”
He added that the same scenario played out in 1983, which led to destruction of wealth and death of many residents of the state.
Fagboyegun added: “Akeredolu should address the whole state to distant himself from all the plotters that are hauling barrage of insults at the deputy governor and Ilaje people.
“If all the suggestions fail, President Bola Tinubu should declare a state of emergency in Ondo State before the issue degenerates into bloodshed.”
