The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Mr. Tunji Odeyemi, is now battling to cling to his position, as his colleagues are poised to remove him.
As at Friday, 22 lawmakers in the 26-member House, had signed the impeachment notice, investigation by our correspondent revealed.
However, the number of the anti-Odeyemi lawmakers got depleted later in the weekend following the intervention of the leaders of the Action Congress (AC), including its governorship candidate in the state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, who prevailed on the 13 AC members in the House to dissociate themselves from the plan.
A competent source revealed to News Star that when all entreaties by the Speaker and his aides, including some political leaders in the state failed to dissuade the lawmakers from throwing him out of office, Odeyemi was said to have played his joker by calling on Dr Fayemi to come to his aid and the AC stalwart ordered the AC lawmakers to back off.
Another source disclosed to News Star that the speaker became rattled and visibly shaken when he was told that 22 out of the 26 lawmakers had already signed the impeachment notice and that some lawmakers from his senatorial district,  Ekiti South Senatorial District, were already scheming to occupy his seat.
Strong contenders for the Speaker’s seat are the former Speaker, Mr. Femi Bamisile  and Mr. Deolu Aluko both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represent Ekiti East and Ise/Orun constituencies.
Governor Segun Oni and his Deputy, Dr Sikiru Lawal are from Ekiti North and South Senatorial Districts of the state respectively.
Odeyemi, who assumed the position on July 29, 2008, following the impeachment of Bamisile, had once escaped impeachment over alleged high-handedness and arrogation of powers to his office to the detriment of other members.
Sequel to this heat that is now on the speaker, the House has refused to sit, as the atmosphere was charged.
When asked when the House would reconvene, the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Adebayo Morakinyo, retorted that the Speaker was in the best position to explain the horrible situation the Assembly found itself, adding that the House did not adjourn sine dine last time they met.
When asked about the impeachment plot, Morakinyo tactically parried the question, saying, “Things are in order and I can tell you that I am not aware of any impeachment plot.”
The explanation was, however, contrary to the position of the Speaker, who owned up that he was quite aware of the plot to impeach him, but that the situation had not degenerated beyond control.
Odeyemi said, “I assumed that office at the mercy of my people and any of them has the right to occupy the position, so the agitation for any impeachment plot or change of leadership is a normal thing in any Assembly.”

Comments

Name *
Email (For verification & Replies)
URL

Submit Comment