Ondo assembly halts Aiyedatiwa impeachment proceedings

The Ondo house of assembly has suspended the impeachment proceedings against Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor of the state.

Olusegun Odusola, the chief judge of the state high court, had declined the assembly’s request to set up a seven-man panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against Aiyedatiwa.

Speaking on the matter on Friday, Olatunji Oshati, the spokesperson of the Ondo assembly, said the lawmakers will comply with the order and halt further proceedings on the impeachment.

He said the assembly will follow due process in their impeachment bid against the deputy governor, adding that the assembly is only carrying out its oversight functions. 

“We have considered the letter which is everywhere in the public domain and we are halting the impeachment process until the order of the federal high court is vacated,” he said.

“It is not about being arrogant with power, it is about holding public officers accountable. It also shows that the process of impeachment transcends the monopoly of the legislature as we can see that the judiciary has stalled it.”

BETWEEN ROTIMI AKEREDOLU & AIYEDATIWA

There has been an alleged rift between Aiyedatiwa and Rotimi Akeredolu, the Ondo governor, since his return to Nigeria after a three-month medical leave in Germany.

Aiyedatiwa acted in Akeredolu’s stead while he was away. Upon his return however, Akeredolu sacked the media aides attached to the office of his deputy after operating from Oyo state for a while.

The house also kick-started its impeachment proceedings against Aiyedatiwa who has since pledged his loyalty to the governor.

In early October, the Ondo house of assembly wrote a petition against Emeka Nwite, a federal high court judge, who gave an order stopping the impeachment of Aiyedatiwa.

In the ex parte order granted on September 26, Nwite also restrained Akeredolu from nominating a new deputy.