• Makinde paid Lawmakers to impeach me, ex-Dep Gov, alleges
• APC keeps mum
‘Seun Ibukun-Oni, Tayo Busayo
DAILY COURIER – Controversy has continued to trail the impeachment of Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, on Monday, even as Chief Adebayo Lawal was, on Monday, evening sworn in as the new Deputy Governor following the impeachment of the former, Alhaji Rauf Olaniyan, by the State House of Assembly.
The swearing ceremony held at the Executive Chambers of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, was sequent to his confirmation by the Assembly after his nomination by Governor Seyi Makinde, as replacement for Olaniyan.
The state Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, administered the Oaths of Allegiance and Office on the new deputy governor.
Makinde, in his brief remarks, urged his deputy to put the interest of the state first and see his new assignment as a position of trust.
According to him, the new position is an evidence that Lawal excelled in his previous position.
“But, for us, as the saying goes that the reward of hard work is more work, that’s why we’re giving you more work.
“The position of deputy governor is a position of trust, our masters are the good people of Oyo State.
“So, our responsibility is to continue to serve them to the best of our abilities to deliver good governance to them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the impeached deputy governor has alleged that some members of the state House of Assembly were bountifully paid to impeach him.
Olaniyan, while speaking through his lawyer, faulted the state Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola, over the constitution of a seven-man panel which recommended his removal from office.
His lawyer, Afolabi Fashanu, SAN, alleged that the panel raised to investigate the allegations raised against him was paid to do what they did.
Fashanu lamented that it was unfortunate that the panel members allowed themselves to be compromised and used to do a dirty job.
The statement reads: “The investigation by the committee set up by the Honourable Chief Judge is a charade that cannot stand the test of time. In the first instance, the Honourable Chief Judge, with respect, breached his oath of office by ignoring the service of notice of appeal and application for injunction pending appeal when he proceeded to constitute the investigation committee.
“This is against established law and practice. On the part of the panel, they were appointed and paid to do bodge job, which must be contrary to good conscience.
“They served the Deputy Governor on Friday around 10:45 am and asked him to appear at 11.am. We wrote to inform them that His Excellency needed time to prepare for his defence, in their desperation to do the job for which they were paid, they rejected the letter, sat on Saturday and completed their task the same day.
“Where is the fairness here? The members of the committee are supposed to be men above board. You have a Reverend father, a Jerusalem Pilgrim, and an Alhaji among them. This is a clear evidence that we are not yet ripe for democratic practice.” He bemoaned.
Makinde directed Lawal to continue to supervise the State Housing Corporation and Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OSROMA).
He added that the state Ministry of Justice should as well be under his supervision.
While addressing newsmen, the new deputy governor pledged to build on his previous performance by supporting Makinde in providing good governance to the people of Oyo State.
The swearing ceremony was attended by the Speaker, Mr Debo Ogundoyin, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Segun Ogunwuyi; Secretary to the State Government, Olubamiwo Adeosun; Commissioners, some members of the state House of Assembly, among others.
Lawal, 58, hails from Kisi in Irepo Local Government area of the state.
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