Posted by By AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan on
Eighteen lawmakers pushing for the impeachment of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, Wednesday, said they have not relented in their mission just as they debunked the insinuation that some of them have fled from their hotel abode.
Eighteen lawmakers pushing for the impeachment of the Oyo State Governor, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, Wednesday, said they have not relented in their mission just as they debunked the insinuation that some of them have fled from their hotel abode.
Speaking to newsmen at the D'Rovans Hotel, spokesman of the group, Hon. Babatunde Eesuola, said their colleagues and the executive arm of government have all along been feeding the public with falsehood and propaganda.
The pro-impeachment lawmakers, who one after the other introduced themselves to the newsmen stated that they were as committed to the impeachment of the governor as before.
"We are surprised that the G14 are reacting to the impeachment notice which they had earlier asked the governor to disregard. They should cover their faces in shame as they have been deceiving the general public and the governor as well.
"The impeachment process is on course and the whole world would soon know who has the interest of the state at heart", Eesuola stated.
He equally faulted the video clip shown to newsmen at the Governor's Office on Wednesday, over the invasion of the Assembly complex on December 22, saying that the recording had been doctored before it was shown to the newsmen.
Although they too showed the recording of their sitting on December 22, journalists
at the press briefing were sceptical as the background of the video recording failed to tally with the general impression at the House of Assembly gallery.
The 18 lawmakers also took a swipe at the activities of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, in the whole crisis, accusing them of failing to react when it was proper to do so.
"The CCII may have connived with the governor because they seem to be more catholic than the pope. Twelve of the 16 lawmakers elected by the people of Ibadan are against the governor. Can the CCII claim to be a better representative of Ibadanland? There is the need for them to talk to the electorate, not talking through the back door.
"It is disheartening to know that nobody has advised the governor to respond to the allegation but rather everyone has been offering personal and selfish excuses. The governor should respond to the allegation of gross misconduct leveled against him," the lawmakersargued.
But in a swift development, Daily Sun was informed later in the day that the seven-man panel to investigate the governor on the impeachment offences had been inaugurated. The Chairman of the panel was given as Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN).
In a telephone conversation with the senior advocate Wednesday, he gave the names of other members of the panel as Evangelist Segun Ali, Barrister (Mrs) E. O. Adegboye, an Abuja-based legal practitioner and John Adetutu Alabi.
The other two members are Alhaji Sikiru Adetoro (FCA), and Imam M. A. Adebayo.
The panel chairman said the sitting of the committee would commence Thursday, at the premises of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road.
All efforts to get the state Chief Judge to confirm the list as well as the constitution of the panel failed as his mobile telephone number could not be reached.
But spokesman of the anti-impeachment lawmakers, Hon. Olufemi Josiah, dismissed the alleged inauguration of the seven-man panel saying it was far from being the truth.
According to him, the lawyer to the CJ was in court on Tuesday where he swore to an affidavit that the status quo would be maintained pending the determination of the cases in court.
"It is not possible. It doesn't make sense. It is part of their scheme to cause confusion. If the CJ would constitute a panel, it should be a public show. I don't think it is possible to constitute a panel now unless they want to use unconstitutional means", Hon. Josiah stated.