The Ondo State House of Assembly has initiated the process to remove the state’s deputy governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged gross misconduct. The House alleges that the deputy governor was involved in acts of gross misconduct while serving as the acting governor in the absence of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
Mr. Aiyedatiwa had acted as governor while Governor Akeredolu was abroad for medical treatment between June 13 and September 9. During a plenary session, the Assembly presented a petition against Aiyedatiwa, which was signed by nine out of the 17 members of the House.
The Majority Leader of the House, Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, cited Section 188 of the constitution to support his call for the Assembly to summon the deputy governor to respond to the allegations. The motion was seconded by another lawmaker.
The House directed the Clerk to communicate the invitation to Aiyedatiwa. The process may involve him responding to the allegations, after which a panel for his impeachment would be set up.
There was a heavy presence of armed security personnel at the Assembly complex during the proceedings. It should be noted that shortly after his return from a medical vacation in Germany, Governor Akeredolu had sacked the media aides of the deputy governor, alleging disloyalty during his absence.
Efforts to obtain a response from the deputy governor were unsuccessful at the time of the report.