Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday served the deputy governor of the state, Agboola Ajayi, an impeachment notice over allegation of gross misconduct. The motion was read on the floor of House by the Clerk, Bode Adeyelu.
Speaker of the assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, said he personally received a petition containing the allegations against the deputy governor, noting that the constitution empowers the assembly to investigate an allegation and proceed on impeachment when necessary constitutional requirements are met.
He directed the clerk of the house to immediately serve the deputy governor the notice of impeachment signed by 14 members of the assembly.
Attempts by the Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Iroju Ogundeji, as well as some lawmakers to raise objection were rebuffed by the Speaker when the motion was put to voice vote.
The Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito, subsequently moved a motion for adjournment till Wednesday, which was seconded by Oluyede Fayide representing Ose Constituency.
Speaking to newsmen after the plenary, Festus Akingbaso representing Idanre Constituency said that the impeachment notice was unconstitutional, arguing it did not meet the two-third requirement of House members as stipulated by law.
Similarly, Samuel Edamisan representing Irele Constituency stated that the move by the assembly was unconstitutional, adding that it would not succeed.
But Olugbenga Omole, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, said impeachment was a process which does not require two -third assent of the members of the assembly.
“In fact only nine members of the 26 members are needed to sign the impeachment move,” Omole said, adding, that only few journalists were allowed into the assembly chamber in order to follow the COVID-19 guidelines.
A majority of members of the House were present at the plenary except the only female lawmaker, Mrs Favour Tomomewo, representing Ilaje Constituency 2, just as security at the premises was tight, with personnel of the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps keeping watch.
