Ali Olanusi Impeached, Lasisi Akinboyo Sworn- In As Ondo New Dep. Governor

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Impeached deputy governor accused of plot to sack his boss
Impeached deputy governor accused of plot to sack his boss
Impeached deputy governor accused of plot to sack his boss

By Alaba Ajibade

The Ondo State House of Assembly has impeached the state’s Deputy Governor, Mr. Ali Olanusi.

Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. Lasisi Akinboyo has been sworn in as the new deputy to Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Twenty-four out of the 26 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment motion moved by the Majority Leader, Henry Akinsoyinu, and seconded by Deputy Majority Leader, Oyebo Aladetan.

The Lawmakers had earlier directed the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, to set up a probe panel to investigate seven impeachable offences levelled against Olanusi.

Some of the allegations levelled against Olanusi include financial misappropriation, absenteeism from official duties and causing disaffection in the state cabinet.

Earlier on Monday, the 7-man judicial panel headed by Mr. Olatunji Adeniyan, submitted its report to the House, following which it carried the impeachment.

Sequel to the motion which sought to endorse the report, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Jumoke Akindele, ruled on the adopted motion, declaring that Olanusi impeached and removed from office

The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Kunle Olujuigbe, said the process would be transparent, adding that the House’ action was in consonance with the 1999 Constitution.

Mr. Olanusi had two days before the March 28 presidential election defected to the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party.

He was rumoured to have designed a plot to impeach Governor Mimiko should APC won majority seat in the April 11 governorship and state assembly elections.

“While still being in place as the democratically elected deputy governor of Ondo state, I have decided to lead my teeming supporters and well wishers in the state into the All Progressive Congress (APC) where we can find justice, fairness, equity and democratic liberty, a party to which majority of our kith and kin in Yorubaland belongs,” he had said when he defected last month.

“I have taken this decision at this critical time, in the best interest of peace, stability and good governance of our dear state and for the overall development of the south west and the nation.”

“They (his followers) have watched helplessly in the last six years the untold marginalisation and total exclusion from the government they laboured to put in place.”