Ondo APC Ex-Legislators Condemn Impeachment Move of Ondo Assembly against Deputy Governor, Aiyedatiwa.
In a display of solidarity and concern for the democratic process in Ondo State, a group of former legislators from the All Progressives Congress (APC) has united to voice their condemnation of the impeachment move initiated by the Ondo State Assembly against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Gentlemen of the Press, it is our great pleasure to have you here for this press conference organised by Concerned All Progressives Congress’ Ex- Lawmakers in Ondo State.
As a critical stakeholder in this entity called Ondo State, we consider it incumbent that we do not fold our arms and watch our political labour and those of our pathfinders washed away by the interest of a clique within our political system.
The Coalition of Concerned Ex-Lawmakers who are members of All Progressives Congress has taken note of recent on-goings in the hallowed chamber of the 10th Assembly. We have noted how certain sections of the media have targeted the Deputy Governor, H.E. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa. We believe there is an ongoing campaign of calumny being hatched by some individuals to do the unthinkable. It will be wrong to have the sanctity of the House of Assembly dragged into such a ridiculous plot. Allegations have been made, some of which actually sit in the heart of the Assembly itself as a witness. We are worried that such a matter that is being investigated has found its way to the press when allegations have not even been established, and the House of Assembly is already in the bad press as though there is something fishy about the process. We believe the House of Assembly should rise above every reproach and distraction.
We are advising current ODHA members to understand the importance of separation of powers and remember that the whole world is watching them at this critical time.
Our intention is purely advisory. May we remind you, dear Honourables, 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 the functions of lawmakers. They are basically:
– Lawmaking
– Representation and
– Oversight functions
The present House of Assembly is less than 4 months old, and it’s very unfortunate that impeachment proceeding is their priority amongst the myriads of critical issues confronting our state presently.
The composition of the Assembly as it is has over 70% as freshers while the 4 returning members are still fighting dirty to become the Speaker even after one of them has already emerged as the Speaker, being the only ranking member from the Central Senatorial District which conforms with the zoning arrangement presently in the State that the Governor, Deputy Governor and the Speaker should come from the different senatorial districts in the State.
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.
It took us this while to respond, hoping that the leadership and members of the 10th ODHA will toe the line of decency.
We also thought that since the Assembly is still very fresh, members will act with honour rather than being dragged into this ongoing political embarrassment.
We want to equivocally state here that the House must be careful not to dare the wrath of the people by heating up the polity.
The Assembly should avoid media trials of the Deputy Governor and other appointees marked for humiliation. Otherwise, history will hold the 10th ODHA Members accountable for denigrating the sanctity of the assembly.
We have chosen to advise the assembly on the purported impeachment notice served or to be served on H. E. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
According to the One of the facts gathered on the impeachment, it was alleged that that the Deputy Governor approved the sum of N300M for the purchase of an armoured SUV for personal use!!! The use of the phrase “personal use” has already pre-empted the direction the purported investigation of the House will go.
Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution explicitly explained the process and proceeding of impeachment of a Governor and a Deputy Governor. This allegation can only be baseless as it is already in the public domain that the Deputy Governor uses some of his personal cars for his official duties and none of his official car is bulletproof.
The House of Assembly should rise beyond pettiness, it should be noted that the assembly has set itself up for public ridicule if it continues to ignore the material fact at its disposal as to how public procurement works.
Furthermore, there is another allegation that the Deputy Governor instructed that the money for the bulletproof car be deducted from the money meant for palliative. We believe this issue is not about the Governor or his Deputy but about the integrity of our dear Sunshine State, Ondo State and it’s people. We are sure allegations like these should not stand unless the allegations are served with the evidence that proves them. The general public is aware that palliative is not administered by the office of the Deputy Governor, and he could not have been in charge of the procurement of his official vehicles let alone drawing same from funds meant for palliative.
We know that the Deputy Governor H.E. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has never been the one presiding over purchasing of vehicles for government usage but the Secretary to State Government, SSG. While the palliative committee is also headed by the Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Wale Akinterinwa.
More also, neither the Governor nor the Deputy Governor has personal life while in office. So, claiming that he wants to purchase a vehicle for personal use is just calling a dog a bad name so as to hang it.
This is the same Assembly that has not got the balls to confront the State Executives Arm to give account of how it expended the #2B palliative fund from the FG.
There are other germane issues that the masses expected the Assembly to put in the front burner which includes but not limited to the unending crises that followed the creation of the Local Council Development Authorities (LCDA).and other sundry matters. The Assembly must be very careful from turning themselves into a puppet in the hand of some desperate politicians.
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!!!
God bless Ondo State.
God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Concerned All Progressives Congress Ex-Lawmakers. 26th September 2023.
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