_26th September, 2023_
Deji Adebayo a renowned political analyst examines the unfolding drama in Ondo State, where the House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
It is no longer news that the Deputy Governor has recently been served a letter by the State House of Assembly requesting his defense for the allegations which revolve around financial misappropriation, particularly the purported approval of N300 million for a bullet proof SUV from the Palliative fund allegedly during the Governor’s absence for medical treatment in Germany.
Among other claims of abuse of office levied against him by the state legislators who are again hellbent on making the governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (Aketi) break the bad record of having three deputies before the end of his two term tenure by impeaching the incumbent.
Thanks to the court for the injunction order refraining the impeachment procedure from continuing thus the hallowed chambers proves indeed the last hope for common man.
The ill-fated impeachment proceeding commenced with an emergency plenary session held last week wednesday in Akure, marked by a heavy security presence at the State Assmebly complex.
The Assembly Speaker directed the Clerk to write to Aiyedatiwa regarding the allegations, citing Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria to justify this action but this may not have happened as the speaker has to go through another means to serve the letter on the Deputy Governor through his office.
Interestingly, Governor Akeredolu has previously had contentious relationships with his erstwhile deputy, Agboola Ajayi, who served as his deputy between 2016 and 2020 and was made to face impeachment proceedings in 2020, eventually defecting to the PDP and running for the governorship but failed in his bid to occupy the state’s oval office situate in Alagbaka, Akure.
In his own case, Orimisan Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s problems began when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Aketi) having returned from his medical trip to Germany took the first shot by disbanding Ayedatiwa’s media team, leading to speculation of strained relations between him and his deputy.
Allegedly, their dispute stems from a perceived betrayal of trust by Aiyedatiwa, with rumors swirling around the Governor’s health and Aiyedatiwa’s aspirations for the 2024 governorship election.
But from our investigation, the reverse is the case as we are made to know that there is something more from some persons with vested interest in taking over the state’s finance and control in totality by choosing to replace Ayedatiwa who has the Ondo State people’s mandate together with his boss in the last state election.
Our source in the government house revealed that these high-profile people includes the firstlady of the state, the Governor’s son, commissioner of finance and other bigwigs in control of the state’s resources and authority excluding Ayedatiwa and few other persons.
Meanwhile, the impeachment saga which is ongoing, with the House giving Aiyedatiwa a seven-day ultimatum to respond to the corruption allegations has many political undertones obviously to the detriment of the interest of the generality of the Ondo people and particularly the people from Ondo South Senatorial district.
While some suggest that his resignation could be an amicable exit, Aiyedatiwa in a bid to hinder this proposed palace coup and plot to take him out of government being the major obstacle left against the cabals earlier mentioned, has declared his intention to remain in office until February 2025, vowing not to resign.
Although, Ayedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, has recently faced unwarranted criticism and castigation. It is essential to delve into the reasons behind this criticism and determine its validity. A primary point of contention centers on the alleged mismanagement of palliative funds.
However, it is vital to clarify that Ayedatiwa does not hold the position of Chairman of the Palliative Committee, nor does he possess the authority to dictate fund allocations. Consequently, he cannot be held accountable for any breaches of procurement laws or financial mismanagement.
Another aspect of the criticism revolves around the procurement of an armored vehicle for the Deputy Governor. It is pertinent to ask the appropriate questions in this matter.
Firstly, is there a legitimate need for an armored vehicle in the Deputy Governor’s convoy? The answer is affirmative. Governor Akeredolu had previously acquired three such vehicles in 2022, utilizing 1.5 billion Naira of Ondo State’s funds.
Hence, it is logical for the Acting Governor to access one of these vehicles for security purposes.
The next query to consider is whether the proposed 300 million Naira budget for the armored vehicle is excessive. The response is negative. Given that Governor Akeredolu managed to purchase three armored vehicles for 1.5 billion Naira in 2022, allocating 300 million Naira for a single vehicle in 2023 appears reasonable.
Furthermore, understanding the procurement and financial allocation process is essential. The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is responsible for determining the funding source for such acquisitions, not the Deputy Governor.
Additionally, the SSG is in charge of the vehicle’s purchase, while the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akinteriwa, oversees fund disbursement. Consequently, Ayedatiwa cannot be held responsible for these decisions and actions.
In light of these facts, it is evident that the criticism directed towards Ayedatiwa is unjustified. He lacks the authority and responsibility to manage palliative funds or determine funding allocation for an armored vehicle.
It is disheartening that the Ondo State Assembly failed to conduct thorough due diligence and ask relevant questions before placing blame on the Acting Governor.
It is imperative for both public officials and the general public to possess accurate knowledge about the responsibilities and processes of various government positions.
This ensures that criticism is fair, justified, and based on factual information. Regarding Ayedatiwa, it is clear that he cannot be held accountable for the alleged mishandling of palliative funds or the procurement of the armored vehicle.
To uphold transparency and accountability in governance, it is crucial to separate facts from speculation and base criticism on accurate information.
Ayedatiwa, as the Acting Governor of Ondo State, has been unfairly criticized for matters beyond his control and jurisdiction. The criticism concerning the alleged misappropriation of palliative funds and the procurement of an armored vehicle lacks justification, as Ayedatiwa does not possess the authority to oversee these issues.
The failure of the Ondo State Assembly to conduct proper due diligence before making accusations is disappointing. It is crucial for all stakeholders to be well-informed and to base their criticism on accurate information to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
These circumstances lead us to the alleged plan to marginalize the people of Ondo South through the impeachment of the Deputy Governor, which raises significant concerns about the democratic process and representation in the state. Ondo South, comprising six local government areas, is a vital part of the state and plays a significant role in its political landscape.
The potential impeachment of Ayedatiwa, who hails from Ondo South, can be perceived as an attempt to diminish the political influence and voice of this region. By removing a representative from the area, the people of Ondo South may feel disenfranchised and excluded from the decision-making processes of the state government.
This alleged plan also raises questions about the motivations behind such actions. If the impeachment is politically motivated rather than based on legitimate concerns or wrongdoing, it further undermines the principles of fairness, justice, and inclusivity in governance.
It can lead to a sense of distrust among the people, eroding confidence in the leadership and the democratic system as a whole.
To ensure equitable representation and participation of all regions within Ondo State, it is crucial to address these concerns and ensure that the impeachment process, if pursued, is fair, transparent, and based on genuine reasons rather than political maneuvering.
Additionally, the government must prioritize the well-being and development of all regions within the state, including Ondo South, to foster unity, inclusivity, and shared progress.