The Ondo State House of Assembly has told the deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, that it does not need inducement to carry out its constitutional duties.
The state legislative chamber stated this in response to the allegation of Mr Ajayi that members of the house were given N10million each by his principal, Rotimi Akeredolu, to impeach him over his defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The deputy governor had last week dumped the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and immediately joined the PDP. Prior to the defection, he was barred from leaving the government house in the state capital with the official vehicle attached to his office.
The governor and his deputy are said to be at war with each other over the latter’s interest in contesting the forth coming governorship election in the state where his principal has indicated interest to seek re-election.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Gbenga Omole, in a statement on behalf of his colleagues described as reckless the ploy to drag the lawmakers into a crisis between Ajayi and his boss.
“This allegation smacks of naivety on the part of the Deputy Governor and intended to cast aspersions on the noble image of members and drag the integrity of the House in the mud,” the statement partly read.
“It is on this premise that we Honourable Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly state unequivocally that this is nothing but a blatant lie and politics taken too far, least expected of the calibre of the Deputy Governor of the Sunshine State.
“But we are not surprised because he is a drowning man and he will hold on to anything to survive. We are aware of efforts by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to reposition the state and make it enviable among her equals across the country even in the face of obvious dwindling resources.
“How then can someone imagine the Honourable members to compromise their mark of honour all in the pursuit of selfish gains in this period of global recess which places daunting challenges on the economy of States around the world.
“Much as we are not ready to trade words with anyone we are adequately aware of our constitutional rights and would never hesitate to exercise same when occasion demands for it.
“We do not need any inducement of whatever kind from any quarters to exercise our constitutional responsibilities as elected representatives of the people.
“To this end, the body of Lawmakers of the Ondo State House of Assembly refute the allegation of N10million each to facilitate the impeachment of the Deputy Governor,” the statement added.
