Ondo Assembly Gives Update On Impeachment Process Against Ayedatiwa

The Ondo State House of Assembly has announced its intention to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

According to a statement by the House’s spokesperson, Olatunji Oshati, Mr. Aiyedatiwa has been served with the allegation letter. However, as of now, the deputy governor has not responded to the allegations brought against him by the lawmakers.

The statement clarified that receiving an allegation letter does not imply an impeachment verdict. It marks the commencement of the impeachment proceedings. The lawmakers emphasized that this process is based on due diligence and not a rushed impeachment.

The Assembly affirmed their commitment to upholding the integrity of the state and ensuring accountability and transparency in the highest levels of government. They urged their constituents not to jump to conclusions prematurely, reminding them that neither the deputy governor nor the governor is exempt from legislative actions.

The lawmakers assured that due process will be followed diligently and that Mr. Deputy Governor has the right to defend himself.

This development contradicts the previous stance of the House, which had stated they were not interested in impeaching the deputy governor.

Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa has been under scrutiny since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu returned from a three-month medical leave in Germany. During the governor’s absence, Mr. Aiyedatiwa served as the acting governor, having received the power of transmission through a letter to the State House of Assembly from the governor.

During this period, the state experienced a pause in governance, with rumors of divisions within the state cabinet. Some loyal to Governor Akeredolu accused Mr. Aiyedatiwa of not doing enough to counter negative reports about the governor’s health allegedly propagated by the deputy governor’s media team.

Upon resuming duty after his medical leave, Governor Akeredolu relieved all of Mr. Aiyedatiwa’s media aides of their duties and reassigned their responsibilities to the state’s Ministry of Information and Orientation.