The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi was today impeached by 22 out of 25 State Assembly lawmakers over allegations of gross misconduct.
Olanusi, who had been battling with the legislators for weeks, was immediately replaced by a serving Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, whose nomination was confirmed by the State Assembly.
The lawmakers took the decisions to impeach Olanusi following a recommendation of a report submitted by a seven-man panel, headed by a retired Magistrate Court judge, Mr. Olatunji Adeniyan and which was constituted by the State Chief Judge, Olasehinde kumuyi to investigate the seven allegations leveled against the impeached deputy Governor.
But, political observers believed that the deputy governor was purposely impeached following his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) two days to the Presidential elections for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The report submitted by the panel to the Speaker of the House, Jumoke Akindele reads “placing reliance on the meaning of gross misconduct as defined in section 188 (11) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, we hereby find the allegations of gross misconduct has been proved against the Ondo State Deputy Governor established.”
The house while acting on the report of the panel which found Olanusi culpable of all the seven offences leveled against him subsequently impeached him as the Deputy Governor of the state.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Olugbenga Akinsoyinu moved the motion for the impeachment of Olanusi and was seconded by the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Oyebo Aladetan.
The Speaker, Akindele thereafter put the motion to the house and all the 22 lawmakers that attended the plenary voted in favour of Olanusi’s impeachment.
However, the new deputy governor, Oluboyo’s confirmation did not take the lawmakers so long.
Oluboyo was later sworn-in by the Chief Judge of the State, Kumuyi.
At the event, Mimiko assured people of the state that the change in the baton would not have negative impact on the state.
The governor, who noted that the swearing in was the first in the history of the state, said the decision of the state House of Assembly in impeaching the former Deputy Governor, Alhaji Olanusi was in order.
He said the impeachment enjoyed the support of the state government and the people of the state.
Also, PDP has commended the State Assembly for impeaching Olanusi.
A statement issued by its Director of Publicity, Ayo Fadaka said for any governor to progress in his administrative duties, such governor must have a loyal and committed deputy governor.
The statement reads, “Party takes absolute cognizance of the impeachment of Alhaji Ali Olanusi as Deputy Governor and commends the House of Assembly for its tenacity in prosecuting this action.
“It is important to declare that the Parliament displayed its commitment to good governance that will be bereft of undue encumbrances by removing from office a man who not only discharge his responsibilities with levity and mostly in abeyance, but also view with disdain his oath of office to bear true allegiance to the government he was an integral part of.
“This attitude is unbecoming of a senior citizen who should ordinarily serve as a shining example to younger generations who look up to him for inspiration.
“The concept of Gubernatorial Candidates having running mates as enshrined in the Presidential system of Government indicates that a Governor must have loyal and trust worthy Deputy that will view issues from the same perspective as his boss and work in unison with him in all ramifications.
“Thus the moment Ali Olanusi decided to chart a new and independent course for himself, he should have honorably resigned from office, rather he began to nurse phantom ambitions of how he will covet the position of his boss, this to say the least is dishonorable and treacherous.
“With the impeachment of Olanusi and his replacement by Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, who until his appointment was a Commissioner in the administration, Government will continue to power on seamlessly and progress will continue in our State.
“We, however, want to assure the people of our State that peace will continue to reign here. They must therefore discountenance all the uninformed threats to the contrary as Nigeria is in a democracy that is thriving and orderly”.
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