Twenty-four out of the thirty-two lawmakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly have initiated an impeachment process against Rauf Olaniyan, the state’s deputy governor.

The lawmakers initiated the process, on Wednesday, during a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin. 

The order paper titled, “Petition and notice of an allegation against the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan”, was read by the clerk of the State House of Assembly, Yetunde Awe.  

The twenty-four lawmakers in their petition, accused the deputy governor, of gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office, official duty and insubordination, among other offences.

They noted that the failure of Mr Olaniyan to respond to the allegations would lead to impeachment. 

They said, “Consequent upon listed below, we the under listed elected Honourable members of the 9th assembly hereby allege the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Eng. Rauf Olaniyan with the following allegations:

“Gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office, official duty ani Insubordination and other offences.

“This is in accordance to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended in 2011. Section 188.”

Mr Olaniyan announced his defection from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to join forces with opposition All Progressives Congress in the state after irreconcilable differences with Governor Seyi Makinde. The duo had endured a topsy-turvy relationship since they were both elected into office in 2019.

Matters got to a head when Mr Makinde failed to consider Mr Olaniyan for a joint ticket in his 2023 reelection bid. Bayo Lawal, the Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, has since been chosen as Mr Makinde’s running mate.

Details later…