From Bola Ogunlayi,Ibadan
As a fallout of the decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC) by the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr Rauf Olaniyan, 24 members of the state House of Assembly have commenced the process of impeaching the number two man.
All the legislators that appended their signatures are members of the PDP.
Two other Legislators from the 26 PDP members did not sign the Petition.
In the impeachment notice read during Wednesday’s plenary by the Clerk of the House, Yetunde Awe, the lawmakers accused Olaniyan of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duty and insubordination, among others.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, said the petition met the two-third requirement to initiate the impeachment process.
He added that the Assembly would give the deputy governor seven days to respond to the allegations, adding that failure to do so can lead to the commencement of the impeachment move.
The seven days window takes immediate effect and will lapse on Wednesday, June 22.
The lawmakers who signed the petition are:
Fadeyi Muhammed (Ona Ara)
Onaolapo Sanjo (Ogbomosho South)
Babalola Olasunkanmi (Egbeda)
Adebisi Yusuf (Ibadan South West 1)
Okedoyin Julius (Saki West)
Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North 2).
Kehinde Olatunde (Akinyele 2)
Olajide Akintunde (Lagelu)
Mustapha Akeem (Kajola)
Popoola Ademola (Ibadan South East 2)
Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North East 2)
Olagoke Olamide (Ibadan North East 1)
Olayanji Kazeem (Irepo/Olorunsogo)
Ojedokun Peter (Ibarapa North/Centre)
Gbadamosi Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo)
Mabaje Adekunle (Iddo)
Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi (Ibadan South West 2)
Akeem Adedibu (Iwajowa)
Fatokun Ayo (Akinyele 1)
Rasak Ademola (Ibadan South East 1)
Obadara Akeem (Ibadan North West)
Oyekunle Fola (Ibadan North 1)
Adetunji Francis (Oluyole)
Hon Adeola Bamidele (Iseyin / Itesiwaju).
However, Ogundoyin and Hon. Adebunmi Abdulateef from Oorelope State Constituency, where Olaniyan comes from, are the only PDP lawmakers that didn’t sign the petition.
The Deputy Governor had accused the Governor of sidetracking him in running the state affairs by the Governor.
He has openly featured in paying visit to the APC leaders and congratulated Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu after winning the Presidential election of his new party.
Some Olaniyan supporters have reasoned that their principal does not deserve impeachment before this new development.
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