Ondo Deputy Gov Olanusi impeached, replaced with Oluboyo

 

ONDO State deputy governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, was yesterday impeached by the House of Assembly just as a serving Commissioner, Alhaji Olugbenga Lasisi Oluboyo, was nominated and sworn-in as his replacement.
The new deputy governor hails from Ikare, Akoko North East and was the Agriculture Commissioner before
his elevation.

Twenty two lawmakers at plenary  supported the impeachment of the deputy governor after the seven-man probe panel inaugurated by the Chief Judge of the state submitted its report to the House.
Two other members who have defected to the opposition All Progressives Party, APC, Hon Gbenga Edema, representing Ilaje 1 and Hon Fola Vincent Ose, were absent at the plenary.
In a swift reaction, the state APC Chairman, Hon Isaac Kekemeke, described the impeachment as a show of shame, adding that the party would challenge the lawfulness of the action in court.
Earlier, the seven-member probe panel headed by Mr Olatunji Stanley Adeniyan, while presenting its report, said that the deputy governor was culpable in all the seven allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.
Adeniyan declared: “Having found all the seven allegations  established against Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the deputy governor of Ondo State, and 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 that the allegation of gross misconduct has been proved against Alhaji Ali Olanusi, the holder of the office of the deputy governor of Ondo State of Nigeria.”
Following the submission of the report, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Ifedayo Akinsoyinu, from Ondo West, moved the motion for the consideration of the report and it was seconded by Hon Olatunji Dairo from Owo 11.
After considering the report and relying on the conclusion of the probe panel that  the deputy governor was culpable, Hon Akinsoyinu moved the motion for his impeachment and was seconded by Hon Aladetan Oyebo from Ilaje 11.
Aladetan said, based on the recommendation of the probe panel that indicted the deputy governor; “ I am seconding the motion that he be impeached and removed from office forever.”
The Speaker, Rt Hon Jumoke Akindele, therefore, called for a voice vote and the 22 lawmakers present supported the impeachment of the deputy governor.
Rt Hon Akindele ruled that since the deputy governor had been found culpable of all the seven allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him, he stood impeached and removed from office.
She said that the lawmakers had spoken with one voice which was beyond  2/3 majority. She added that 22 members supported Olanusi’s impeachment.
The Speaker directed that all government property in the custody of the deputy governor be returned with immediate effect to the Permanent Secretary in the office of the deputy governor.
“The Permanent Secretary in the deputy governor’s office is empowered to retrieve all the property by all lawful means,” he said.
The House reconvened some hours later to consider a letter from the state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on the nomination of a replacement for the impeached deputy governor to avoid a vacum.
After the letter was read by the Clerk of the House, the Speaker directed the House Committee on  Selection to interface with the nominee.
The committee, led by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Emiola Dare, later met with the nominee for about 45 minutes and reported to the plenary that the nominee was fit mentally and physically  to occupy the position.
Emiola added that Oluboyo was academically qualified and should be confirmed by the Assembly.
The speaker said that following the recommendation of the selection Committee the nominee is hereby  confirmed and ratified as the deputy governor of the state after being properly and appropriately screened.
Speaking while appearing before the House, Oluboyo promised to give his total and unalloyed loyalty to the governor adding that he would not disappoint the people of the state for the confidence reposed in him.


By Dayo Johnson