Plot To Impeach Oyo Deputy Governor Thickens As Assembly Goes Against Him Over Gross Misconduct
Following his defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) the centre has failed to hold from the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan.
The latest of his political cross is impeachment pendulum set by the Oyo State House of Assembly dangling over him.
Wednesday, Oyo State House of Allemly levelled five allegations against the state Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan, which are considered impeachable offences.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 24 lawmakers signed the petition, which was read during the plenary.
In the petition, entitled: “Petition and Notice of Allegations against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan,” he was accused of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duties, and insubordination.
“This is in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the petition read in part.
NAN reports that the lawmakers, who signed the petition, included: Fadeyi Muhammed (Ona Ara), Onaolapo Sanjo (Ogbomosho South), Babalola Olasunkanmi (Egbeda), Adebisi Yussuf (Ibadan South-West I), Okedoyin Julius (Saki West) and Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North II).
Others were: Kehinde Olatunde (Akinyele II), Olajide Akintunde (Lagelu), Mustapha Akeem (Kajola), Popoola Ademola (Ibadan South-East II), Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North-East II), Olagoke Olamide (Ibadan North-East I), Olayanji Kazeem (Irepo/Olorunsogo) and Ojedokun Peter (Ibarapa North).
The remaining lawmakers were: Gbadamosi Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo), Mabaje Adekunle (Iddo), Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi (Ibadan South-West II), Akeem Adedibu (Iwajowa), Fatokun Ayo (Akinyele I), Rasak Ademola (Ibadan South-East I), Obadara Akeem (Ibadan North-West), Oyekunle Fola (Ibadan North I) and Adetunji Francis (Oluyole).
In his reaction shortly after the petition had been read by the Clerk of the assembly, Yetunde Awe, the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin, said it met the two-third requirement to initiate the process.
Mr Ogundoyin said the assembly would give Mr Olaniyan seven days within which to respond to the allegations, adding that failure to do so within the period could lead to the commencement of impeachment move against him.
“The window of response takes immediate effect and lapses on Wednesday, June 22,” he said.
In Nigeria’s Constitution, the Deputy Governor is simply at the mercy of the Governor of the State since the legislative arms are mere extension of the executive arm of government.
The Houses of Assembly are very vulnerable because they depend of the executive for their fiscal needs, an instrument that has become a remote control.
Meanwhile, the reports stated that the House, thereafter, adjourned sitting till June 16.
– NAN/NewsTrack Nigeria
