In the latest twist to the political turmoil in Ondo State, the Deputy Governor, Mr Lucky Ayedatiwa’s, attempt at reconciliation through an apology to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has hit a dead end. The Ondo State House of Assembly has affirmed that the apology will not deter the ongoing impeachment proceedings against the embattled deputy governor.
Addressing the issue, Speaker of the Assembly, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, dismissed the significance of the apology, stating that it holds no sway in the assembly’s actions.
“The apology is a personal issue between the deputy governor and the governor, not a concern of the 26 members of the state assembly.” Oladiji said.
Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said:
“It is not true that the Assembly members are divided over Aiyedatiwa’s impeachment.
“Some people are trying to play politics to divide the lawmakers, but we remain united in the decision to probe and impeach the deputy governor.
“The House is in order, though some people are trying to play politics to divide us, it is not possible. The House is not divided.”
This comes as Mr Ayedatiwa sought to derail the legal process initiated to halt his impeachment, requesting Justice Emeka Nwite to withdraw from the case.
Represented by a team of lawyers led by Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, the deputy governor argued that the Court of Appeal in Abuja now holds jurisdiction over the matter. Ayedatiwa highlighted that both the Speaker of the Assembly and the legislative body itself have sought to reverse the interim order restraining his imminent impeachment.
Ondo Assembly Unmoved by Deputy Governor’s Apology, Continues Impeachment Process
“The 4th and 6th defendants went on appeal, four days after the matter was adjourned for ruling. They said they no longer have confidence in the court.
“Since the matter is already before the Court of Appeal, going ahead with this proceeding will put this court on a collision course with a superior authority.
“The defendants cannot approbate and reprobate. The appeal will impact the proceedings of this court and as Ministers in the temple of justice; the defendants owe this court the sacred duty of full disclosure of any development that may affect the jurisdiction of the court.
“It was their duty to have brought the attention of the court to the fact that the appeal was entered on October 20. It is their action that robs this court of its jurisdiction.
“It will be neater and better to hands off and allow the appellate court to determine the matter,” Aiyedatiwa’s lawyer pleaded.
Nevertheless, all the defendants, represented by their individual legal counsels, implored Justice Nwite to reject Aiyedatiwa’s plea and proceed with addressing the applications they had submitted to overturn the ex-parte order issued by the court on September 26, which had effectively halted the impeachment process.
Apology: Akeredolu Replies Aiyedatiwa, Rejects Allegations of Meddling
Governor Akeredolu, listed as the 3rd defendant in the case, levied accusations through his counsel, Mr Kassim Gbadamosi, suggesting that Aiyedatiwa was subtly attempting to impede the court’s ruling.
Following careful consideration of all arguments presented, Justice Nwite scheduled the ruling for November 17, thereby providing a timeline for the legal process to proceed.
