Impeachment: Ondo ex-lawmakers fault process to remove deputy governor

Forum 7 months ago

Impeachment: Ondo ex-lawmakers fault process to remove deputy governor

Some former members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have condemned the process taken by the state Assembly to impeach the deputy governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The former lawmakers, under the auspices of the Concerned All Progressives Congress’ Ex-Lawmakers in Ondo State, said it was too early for the members of the 10th Assembly to take the issue of impeachment as a major priority at the expense of various challenges facing the state in the recent time.

Speaking in Akure, on Tuesday, on behalf of others, a former lawmaker, Mr Abiodun Jerome, urged the state Assembly to play the game according to the rules. He also warned them against causing chaos in the state.

According to him, there was a need for the House of Assembly to rise above every reproach and distraction and also to understand the importance of separation of powers and remember that the whole world is watching them

at this critical time.

He said, “Our intention is purely advisory. May we remind you, dear Honourables (lawmakers) 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 its functions.

“The present House of Assembly is less than four months old, and it’s very unfortunate that impeachment proceeding is their priority amongst the myriads of critical issues confronting our state presently.

“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.”

While advising the Assembly to discontinue the process of impeaching the deputy governor, it warned the present lawmakers against turning themselves into a puppet in the hands of some desperate politicians in the state.

“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!”

However, the speaker of the state Assembly, Mr Olamide Olamiju, said the Assembly was performing its functions as the Constitution dictates. He said the legislative on the matter would continue.

The speaker said, “The House will not abdicate or compromise its sacred constitutional duty to hold elected public officers accountable, particularly where there are prima facie serious allegations of corruption and abuse of power levelled against the deputy governor in this case.”