Ondo Lawmakers give condition for suspending Aiyedatiwa's impeachment

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly have indicated their willingness to entertain the involvement of national leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in exploring a political resolution to the impeachment process initiated against the State Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

Making this disclosure in a statement by their spokesperson, Olatunji Oshati, the lawmakers’ resolve stemmed from the mediation of the APC’s national leadership, who convened discussions with a portion of the assembly members and certain party figures within the state.

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the Ondo State House of Assembly have decided to explore the potential for a political settlement concerning the impeachment proceedings against the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa,” the declaration outlined.

“In a gathering convened at the APC’s National Secretariat in Abuja on October 17, 2023, as initiated by the National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Reconciliation Committee established by the Party, led by Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, engaged in discussions with the APC members in the Ondo State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, and the Ondo State APC leadership, headed by Engr Ade Adetimehin. The consensus was that a political resolution to the impeachment situation was both feasible and appropriate.

“The Speaker emphasized that the House was solely fulfilling its obligations as per Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution, following receipt of a petition alleging the Deputy Governor’s involvement in several cases of gross misconduct and abuse of authority. He expressed the House leadership’s intent to engage in further consultations with assembly members from various political affiliations to discuss the proposed political solution suggested by the APC.

“The House, in this light, anticipates that the Deputy Governor would promptly take measures to retract the multiple legal actions he initiated in relation to the impeachment. This course of action would enable stakeholders to candidly examine settlement proposals and prevent any actions or comments on an issue that is still subject to legal proceedings.”