Politics
Ondo Assembly Finally Serves Deputy Gov Impeachment Notice
The Ondo State House of Assembly has finally served the embattled deputy governor of the state, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a with his impeachment notice.
The deputy governor received the notice on Monday, through the spokesperson of the House of Assembly, Olatunji Oshati.
Mr Oshati had claimed last week on a national TV programme that Mr Aiyedatiwa had been served with the impeachment notice.
The notice, PREMIUM TIMES learnt, was signed by 11 out of the 26 lawmakers that make up the assembly.
The ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress(APC), has majority seats in the House with 22 seats while the PDP has four seats.
According to the notice signed by the Speaker, Oladiji Adesanmi, the allegations against the deputy governor are gross misconduct and abuse of office with actions likely to bring down the Ondo State government.
Other allegations are financial recklessness and publications in print media by the media aides of the deputy governor maligning the credibility of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
The House said relying on the provision of Section 188(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the deputy governor should be served a copy of the notice for him to respond to the allegations contained therein.
Meanwhile, the deputy governor, on Monday, sued the House of Assembly on the planned impeachment against him.
Mr Aiyedatiwa, in the suit filed by his lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, (SAN) in the High Court of Akure, specifically sought some orders essentially to restrain the House from impeaching him.
The deputy governor is seeking a declaration from the court that the State House of Assembly lacks the competence to proceed with his impeachment, arguing that such proceedings violate his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair hearing.
The deputy governor said the removal of his media aides and their placement under the Ministry of Information and Orientation led by a Commissioner by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu is a breach of his rights and privileges as the Deputy Governor.
Besides, the deputy governor is also seeking a declaration affirming that his office, tenure, status, rights, and privileges are safeguarded by the Constitution.
Additionally, he is insisting on his entitlement to a fair hearing in the House of Assembly’s determination of his civil rights and obligations as the deputy governor of Ondo State.
In the suit, Mr Aiyedatiwa also raised concerns about potential bias against him in the impeachment process, citing the House of Assembly’s previous statements and actions, including conducting media trials without providing him prior notice of alleged misconduct.
Mr Aiyedatiwa is also seeking an order to stop the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the Ondo State House of Assembly to set up any panel to investigate any acts of gross misconduct against him.
Essentially, Mr Aiyedatiwa is requesting the court to intervene by halting the impeachment proceedings until his claims are examined and adjudicated upon, ensuring that his rights and protections under the law are upheld throughout this legal process.
Named as defendants in the suit alongside the Ondo State House of Assembly are the Ondo State government, the Governor of Ondo State, Ondo State House of Assembly, Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Clerk of the Ondo State House of Assembly and the Chief Judge of the state.
Politics
ADC’s Aisha Yesufu Issues Public Apology For Listing Yemi Adamolekun Without Consent
Prominent activist and African Democratic Congress (ADC) member Aisha Yesufu has issued a public apology to governance advocate Yemi Adamolekun following a controversy over her inclusion in the party’s Wise Men and Women Policy and Manifesto Committee.
The issue emerged on Wednesday after Adamolekun, former executive director of Enough is Enough Nigeria, expressed surprise on social media at seeing her name listed among members of the ADC committee.
Tagging Yesufu and ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, Adamolekun questioned the party’s process in a blunt post on X.
“ADC! ADC! ADC! How many times did I call you? This is not how to build credibility o! Please show me evidence of when I joined your party! Na wa….” she wrote.
Responding the same day, Abdullahi said the committee was designed to be expert-driven rather than strictly partisan.
“It is important to point out that not everyone on the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee is a member of the ADC. Many are not even politicians,” he said.
He added, “This is because the ADC believes that the task of developing workable public policies for the benefit of all Nigerians should not be left to politicians alone.”
Abdullahi maintained that the party had followed due process.
He said the ADC had undergone a “vetting process” and “took all necessary measures to ensure that everyone recommended to serve on this important committee was duly notified and had given their consent.”
Despite the disagreement, he expressed hope that Adamolekun would still participate, citing her “vast experience – even though she is not a member of our party.”
However, reacting on Friday, Yesufu, a member of the party’s Revalidation, Mobilisation and Registration Committee, acknowledged the error and apologised publicly.
She wrote, “This is inexcusable, and on behalf of my party, accept my apologies for this mix-up. We do not take you and your need to have a better Nigeria for granted.”
Yesufu admitted the process was flawed.
“Like you rightly pointed out, you ought to have been informed and your consent gotten before your name is published.
“This is well noted, and going forward we will continue to ensure due diligence,” she said.
She added, “Thank you for calling our attention to this. We can only get better when we get such feedback and improve accordingly.
“The work to rebuilding Nigeria is enormous, and in our eagerness to start off, we must never forget due process and diligence.”
Yesufu also extended an apology to others affected by the publication.
“For anyone that was also not contacted and consent gotten before publication, kindly accept my apologies for the mix-up,” she said.
Politics
Atiku’s Son Gives Thumbs Up To Tinubu’s Economic Policies, Backs Another Term
Abba Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has attributed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid to what he described as the administration’s innovative and business-friendly economic policies.
He said President Tinubu’s economic initiatives are more favourable to businesses than those of previous administrations, adding that the reforms have reshaped his political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Abba made the remarks during a solidarity visit to the leadership of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Abuja on Monday evening, where he led members of the Haske Atiku Organisation, now rebranded as the Haske Tinubu Organisation.
He recalled that he formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on January 15, collecting his membership card at Gwadabwa Ward in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where he publicly pledged support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
According to him, his decision to back the president was driven by admiration for the economic policies introduced since 2023, which he believes are positioning the country for stronger private-sector growth and investment.
According to him, “This administration has introduced policies that have every Nigerian in mind. If anyone says this government is not doing well, I will tell them they are lying,” he said. “I believe that if given another term, the government will do even more because it is focused.”
He explained that his long-standing experience in business has given him a clear perspective on economic governance in Nigeria.
“Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, I have been in business, and I am still in business today. The economic policies of Mr. President are favourable—not just to businesses, but to Nigerians in general, who are already benefiting from these reforms,” he stated.
He also explained that his decision to join the APC and align with the City Boy Movement was motivated by his passion for the Tinubu-led administration and his desire to serve.
“My joining the APC and the City Boy Movement is based on my belief in this administration. I also intend to use this platform to serve the people of Adamawa at the National Assembly level. Mr. President has made youth inclusion in politics a reality,” Abubakar added.
The Director General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Oluwatosin Shoga reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to youth participation in governance and leadership.
He noted that one of CBM’s core strategic mandates is to ensure that young Nigerians are deliberately positioned for leadership roles while encouraging greater youth involvement in the political process.
Abba’s delegation was received by the Director General of CBM, Mr. Shoga, and the National Coordinator, Mr. Favour Abayomi.
Politics
Oriyomi Hamzat Formally Joins 2027 Oyo Governorship Race Under Accord Party
Popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially declared his intention to run for the 2027 Oyo State governorship under the Accord Party.
In a public declaration, Hamzat stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027.
“I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone.
“I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.”
The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.
-
News2 days agoDonald Duke Officially Joins ADC Following Resignation from PDP
-
News1 day agoJoint Task Force Crushes Terrorist Cells In North East, Heavy Weaponry Seized
-
Entertainment21 hours agoFunke Akindele Fires Back At Kunle Afolayan’s Cinema Remarks
-
News23 hours agoIgnore Fake February 2 Sit-at-Home Order, IPOB Lawyer Tells South-East Residents
-
News1 day agoAppeal Court Affirms Death Sentences for Five Offa Bank Robbery Convicts
