Politics
Ondo CJ Declines To Set Up Probe Panel Against Dep Gov
The impeachment process against the Deputy Governor of Ondo, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, may have hit a brick wall, as the Chief Justice of the State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, was said to have declined to constitute a seven-man panel to probe the embattled deputy governor of the State.
The State House of Assembly had directed the Chief Judge to set up a panel to probe the embattled deputy governor of the state within seven days, but a source within the House of Assembly disclosed that the process has been halted.
The source said the Chief Judge attributed his decision to halt the constitution of the panel on the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which stopped the impeachment process against Aiyedatiwa.
According to the source, the CJ said the seven-man panel would not be put in place until the Abuja Federal High Court vacated the order stopping the impeachment process of Aiyedatiwa.
He disclosed that Justice Odusola had informed the Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, about the development and that the directive would only be carried out after the order of an Abuja Federal High Court is lifted.
He said the Chief Judge’s letter to the Speaker of the House of Assembly became imperative following the seven-day deadline handed down to Odusola by the state legislature that expired on Tuesday.
Also, an official of the House of Assembly who spoke to The Tide source said Justice Odusola had advised the House and the Speaker to make efforts to vacate the order of the Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, saying it’s an irreducible precondition for him to obey the Assembly’s directive.
He said, “The CJ has reached out to Mr. Speaker that he cannot set up a 7-member panel to probe the deputy governor as directed by the House, claiming that his hands are tied by the interim order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, stopping the impeachment process”.
Confirming the receipt of the Chief Judge’s letter, the Majority Leader of the House of Assembly, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, said the lawmakers will not be deterred by the new development but said they will follow due process.
He maintained that the lawmakers will follow due process in line with Section 188(2) (a) & (b) of the 1999 Constitution and said “the Assembly has not breached any of the process”.
He said; “We will follow the due process and obey the law of the land, no matter how the hindrance might be”.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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