By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

An impeachment notice was yesterday served on the State Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi by the Ondo State House of Assembly over allegations of misconduct.
The motion for the impeachment was read by the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Bode Adeyelu at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun.
The House listed the offences to include ; gross misconduct, abuse of office with actions likely to bring down Ondo state government, financial reckless, abandonment of office, official duty,and other assignments, his actions on Sunday June 21, 2020 likely to cause breach of peace, his reference to 1983 political crisis with the intent to incite the citizens against the state government in a video clip (copy of clip attached), publication’s dated Tuesday June23 , 2020 on social media and print media by his sacked aide, Babatope Okeowo credited to his person and office maligning the credibility of the legislative arm of government with false allegation of cash inducement (copy attached), Petition from All Progressives Congress (APC),Ondo chapter on his alleged movement to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)having been sworn-in as the Deputy Governor on the Party’s ticket with Mr Governor for a four-year term.
Oleyelogun said that the constitution empowers the assembly to investigate the allegations and proceed on impeachment of the deputy governor if necessary constitutional requirements were met.
Citing the necessary portions of the constitution, the Speaker therefore directed the Clerk to immediately serve the embattled deputy governor notice of impeachment having been signed by 14 members of the assembly.
The 14 members who signed the impeachment notice were, Aderoboye Samuel, Oladiji Olamide, Festus Adefiranye, Adeyemi Olayemi, Mohammed Taofik, Oluwole Emmanuel, Borokini Toluwani, Gbegudu Ololade, Abiodun Faleye, Felemu Olusegun, Akintomide Akinrogunde, Towase Kuti, Akinruntan Abayomi and Oluyede Olusola.
The motion was put into voice votes.
The Majority Leader, Jamiu Maito therefore, moved a motion for adjournment till Wednesday July 8, (today)which was seconded by Oluyede Feyide, representing Ose State Constituency.
Speaking with Journalists shortly after the sitting, the Chairman House Committee on Information, Olugbenga Omole said complains from some lawmakers were needless, noting that the impeachment order is a process which does not require two third of the members of the assembly.
“In fact only nine members of the twenty six members are needed to sign the impeachment notice,” Omole said.
Nine members led by the Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji and the Majority leader, Jamiu Maito disassociated themselves from the purported impeachment process.
They noted that the 14 members who claimed to have signed the document failed to meet the quorum as stipulated in the constitution maintaining that such move would not work out.
Names of those who kicked against the impeachment move include, Rasheed legbeleye, Tomide Akinribido ,Samuel Edamisan, Favour Tomomewo, Festus Akingbaso, Adewale Williams, Success Torhukerhijo.
Also yesterday, the OSOPADEC Appropriation bill 2020 scaled through its first reading.
All members of the assembly were present at the plenary, except Mrs Favour Tomomewo representing Ilaje Constituency 2.
Meanwhile, Security had early been beefed up at the Assembly complex to avoid any unforseen circumstances.