The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday served an impeachment notice on the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, ending days of speculation.
Relationship between the deputy and his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, have been soured since Ajayi jumped ship by decamping from the ruling All Progressives Congress the People’s Democratic Congress to contest the governorship election against the incumbent.
Fourteen out of the 26 members of the Assembly singed the impeachment notice, leaving nine others, including the Deputy Speaker.
The Constitution requires two-thirds of the members of the House to sign the impeachment notice for it to succeed. The 14 that signed Tuesday’s notice fell short of 18 that would be required.
Among the offences listed against him were Gross Misconduct; abuse of office; financial recklessness, and abandonment of office, official duty and other assignments.
He was also accused of taking an action on Sunday, June 21, 2020 which was likely to cause breech of peace “in reference to 1983 political crisis with the intent to incite the citizens against the government of Ondo State.”
This refers to an event that was caught in viral video that showed Ajayi being prevented by security officials from leaving the government house in official vehicles.
Other offences listed against him were:
“Publications dated Tuesday 23rd June 2020 on the new media and prints media by his sacked aides Babatope Okeowo credited to his person and office by Sahara reporters and others, maligning the credibility of the legislative arm of the government of cash inducement,
“Petition from the APC, Ondo chapter on his alleged movement to the People’s Democratic Party, having sworn in as the deputy governor on the party’s ticket with Mr. Governor for a four-year term,” according to the impeachment notice.
Ajayi is currently one of the contestants for the gubernatorial candidacy of the PDP for the governorship election.
