An impeachment notice has been served on the Deputy Governor of Oyo State Engr Rauf Olaniyan on Wednesday.
Though details of the notice are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report, NPO Reports gathered that those who initiated the removal of Olaniyan May be in for a tough time as the conspiracy in the House of Assembly does not favour a simple process to get him out.
It was gathered that whole
The notice was served on him, the House of Assembly is already divided into two..
Members of the House who are in the Peoples Democratic Party who failed to secure their return tickets have vowed to frustrate the impeachment process being instigated by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Members of the PDP who are aggrieved over the denial of return tickets have teamed up with All Progressive Congress members of the House making 14 members to stop the process.
If was also gathered that one member from Orelope State Constituency where the Deputy Governor comes from has refused to sign the impeachment process claiming he cannot be part of any process to remove his kinsman.
A source in the Oyo State chapter of the party said the process may be tough but the Governor is determined to see it through.
Attempts to speak with the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Taiwo Adisa were not successful as his telephone number was switched off.
The Deputy Governor had two weeks ago, announced his decision to quit the PDP, the platform through which he was elected on a joint ticket with Makinde .
In the petition, entitled: “Petition and Notice of Allegations against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan,” he was accused of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office and official duties and insubordination.
“This is in accordance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the petition read in part.
NAN reports that the lawmakers, who signed the petition, included: Fadeyi Muhammed (Ona Ara), Onaolapo Sanjo (Ogbomosho South), Babalola Olasunkanmi (Egbeda), Adebisi Yussuf (Ibadan South-West I), Okedoyin Julius (Saki West) and Adebayo Babajide (Ibadan North II).
Others were: Kehinde Olatunde (Akinyele II), Olajide Akintunde (Lagelu), Mustapha Akeem (Kajola), Popoola Ademola (Ibadan South-East II), Owolabi Olusola (Ibadan North-East II), Olagoke Olamide (Ibadan North-East I), Olayanji Kazeem (Irepo/Olorunsogo) and Ojedokun Peter (Ibarapa North).
The remaining lawmakers were: Gbadamosi Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo), Mabaje Adekunle (Iddo), Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi (Ibadan South-West II), Akeem Adedibu (Iwajowa), Fatokun Ayo (Akinyele I), Rasak Ademola (Ibadan South-East I), Obadara Akeem (Ibadan North-West), Oyekunle Fola (Ibadan North I) and Adetunji Francis (Oluyole).
In his reaction shortly after the petition had been read by Clerk of the assembly, Yetunde Awe, the Speaker, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, said it met the two-thirds requirement to initiate the process.
Ogundoyin said that the assembly would give Olaniyan seven days within which to respond to the allegations, adding that failure to do so within the period could lead to commencement of impeachment move against him.
“The window of response takes immediate effect and to lapse on Wednesday, June 22,” he said.
NAN reports that the House, thereafter, adjourned sitting till June 16.
Additional Reports by NAN