Ondo state government has debunked claim by the ousted Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Alli Olanusi that the new Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo was sworn in by the Attorney General of the state and not the state Chief Judge.
The state government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade insisted that Oluboyo was sworn in by the state’s Chief Judge in line with the provisions of the constitution.
Olanusi who was impeached last month by the state House of Assembly had claimed in a recent interview in a national newspaper that the new Deputy Governor was sworn in by the state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Eyitayo Jegede (SAN).
However, the Commissioner for Information described the claim as false and baseless, saying the swearing in of Oluboyo as Deputy Governor of the state followed all constitutional provisions.
Akinmade maitained that Alhaji Oluboyo was sworn-in in full public glare, adding that the oath book was also signed by the new Deputy Governor and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi as the administering authority again in full public glare.
He said “the error of Pa Olanusi is understandable as he was not present, and further explained that the state Attorney General only assisted the new Deputy Governor through the Oath reading in the presence and under the watchful eye of the administering authority”
He added that, “Pa Olanusi was advised to take a well deserved rest given his present challenges and thank God that one of his ‘children ‘ in the cabinet is the new Deputy Governor.”
Akinmade also stressed that,”should Pa Olanusi desire to fight on, he is free to exercise his right to approach any court of his choice” even as he noted that “Olanusi’s predicament was self inflicted and his removal by 22 out of the 25 member House of Assembly is an eloquent testimony of his rating, as all members in attendance supported and endorsed his removal.”
Insisting that the sacked Deputy Governor, having claimed to know the constitution so well should not have exposed his alleged ignorance by making such a claim.
He wondered why Olanusi whom he said is not oblivious of the competence of the Governor Olusegun Mimiko led government would go ahead to make such claim.
Akinmade thus challenged the sacked Deputy Governor to defend his claim by producing the oath book bearing the Attorney General’s signature.
The Commissioner said the sacked Deputy Governor’s desperation and unrealistic wish that he could still return to power made him believe his own lie, and made such unfounded claim, adding that it was high time he realised that he couldn’t eat his cake and also have it.
According to him “Oath administration is conducted in public and there are usually witnesses and that of the new Deputy Governor was not in any way different.”
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