…As elder statesman, Arogbofa calls for reconciliation between Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa

By Akintunde Jacobs, Akure

The embattled deputy governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged the Ondo State High Court to stop the State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against him.

This is pending the hearing and determination of the suit that he filed in court.

In Suit No. AK/348/2023 filed at the High Court in Akure on Monday, September 25, 2023, the Deputy Governor is seeking a declaration that the House of Assembly is not competent to proceed on his impeachment in breach of his constitutional and fundamental rights to fair hearing and that the sacking of his media aides and subjecting him to the Ministry of Information headed by a Commissioner amounts to a breach of his rights and privileges as a Deputy Governor.

He is also seeking a declaration that his office, tenure, status, rights and privileges are protected, guaranteed and secured by the Constitution, and the declaration that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations as a Deputy Governor of Ondo State by the House of Assembly, he is entitled to a fair hearing and that given the utterances and conduct of the House of Assembly so far, there is likelihood of bias against him in the impeachment process.

According to him, in conducting media trials against him without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, the House Assembly has constituted itself into accuser, investigator, prosecutor and judge.

Aiyedatiwa then sought orders of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing or proceeding with the process of his removal from office as the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.

He also sought an order to stop the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly of Ondo State to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor.

Named as defendants in the suit filed by human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN are the Ondo State Government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of Ondo State House of Assembly and Chief Judge of Ondo State.

In the affidavit in support of the originating summons, it was stated that the House of Assembly embarked upon a media trial of the Deputy Governor purely to scandalise him and incite public opinion against him when indeed no notice of acts of alleged gross misconduct was served on him.

He also accused the House of Assembly of persecuting him without lawful basis in conspiracy with certain persons who are gladiators in political circles.

However, all attempts made to serve the court processes on the House of Assembly have so far been rebuffed, as policemen at the gate denied access to the court bailiff and also counsel from the office of solicitors to the Claimant.

It narrated the loyalty of the Deputy Governor since he assumed office in the face of the health challenges of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and how he led the state in prayers for the recovery of the governor.

The Deputy Governor denied any act of wrongdoing, stating that he has been loyal to the governor all through their tenure.

In a letter dated September 25, 2023, from the Chambers of Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) and Co. and delivered to the office of the Chief Judge of Ondo State, copies of the court processes were duly attached for the information of the Chief Judge.

Meanwhile, the embattled deputy governor, has said that he has not received any official communication or any “letter of allegations of gross misconduct” from the Ondo State House of Assembly.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made a copy available to journalists on Monday in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

The statement reads; “My attention has been drawn to claims made by the Ondo State House of Assembly, through its member and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Honourable Olatunji

“Oshati, on national television to the extent that I have been served with notice of acts of gross misconduct.

“On Thursday, 21st September, 2023, Hon Olatunji Oshati was a guest on Channels Television Programme ‘Politics Today,’ where he stated that I have been served with notice of allegations of gross misconduct by the House of Assembly of Ondo State.

“His statement and television interview came after various news reports that the House of Assembly had, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, taken the decision to send a ‘letter of allegations of gross misconduct’ to me, following a purported petition by some members of the House. Hon. Oshati also claimed that I have been given seven days to respond to the said allegations.

“It is pertinent to put on record that as at today, Monday, September 25, 2023, I have not received any official communication or any ‘letter of allegations of gross misconduct’ from the Ondo State House of Assembly.

“I find it especially worrying that the spokesman of the House of Assembly would go on national television to speak on such matter without any evidence to show that such letter has been delivered to me. More disturbing is the fact that even when he was asked if the letter had been delivered, he gave no coherent answer.

“A sensitive constitutional matter of this nature; impeachment process should not be conducted on the pages of newspapers and television screens.

“In effect, I reiterate that if such ‘letter of allegations of gross misconduct’ against me exists, I have not seen it and I have not been served. I therefore urge Mr. Speaker, The Honourable Chief Judge of Ondo State and members of the public to take note.”

Meanwhile the former Secretary-General of the Afenifere, pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, has extended an appeal to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to consider forgiveness towards his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, if any wrongdoing has occurred.

Arogbofa, an elder statesman, called upon concerned and responsible citizens of Ondo to come forward and help diffuse “this brewing crisis, which, if allowed to escalate, could have detrimental consequences for the state.”

In an official statement released in Akure, Arogbofa expressed his concern that the current political tension could potentially disrupt the peace that the state’s founding fathers had envisioned.

He pointed out that the periodic conflicts between “some of our governors and their deputies” have exacerbated the socio-economic and political conditions within their respective regions.

Arogbofa cautioned, “Our shared fear is that the current political storm between the governor and his deputy, stemming from allegations of disloyalty, may lead to a deep-seated animosity, hinder development, create disruptive tendencies within the political sphere, and subsequently impact the civil service and the well-being of ordinary citizens.

“We wish to prevent such an outcome. Given the fragile economic and security situations in the country, it is essential for the executive, legislative, and judicial branches in Ondo state to collaborate closely to enhance the quality of life for the people.

“The existing issue requires delicate handling to prevent any major crisis. We call upon our honourable members to be mindful of their reputations and consider the verdict of history. Therefore, we urge them to pursue fairness and justice to defuse the escalating tension.”