Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the deputy governor, has approached the judiciary by filing a lawsuit to defend his constitutional rights and privileges. He requested a ruling from the High Court in Akure that the House of Assembly lacks the authority to proceed with his impeachment since doing so would violate his constitutional and fundamental rights to a fair trial.

He also asking the court to restore his media aides recently fired and being subjected to the Ministry of Information, headed by a Commissioner, by the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who claimed that these actions violated his privileges and rights as the Deputy Governor.

Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa expressed concerns about the impeachment process, alleging that the House of Assembly’s conduct so far suggests a likelihood of bias against him. He accused the House of Assembly of conducting media trials, without serving him with any notice of gross misconduct, effectively acting as accuser, investigator, prosecutor, and judge.

In his legal action, Deputy Governor Ayedatiwa sought orders of injunction to stop the House of Assembly from initiating, continuing, or proceeding with the process of his removal from office. He also sought an order to prevent the Chief Judge of Ondo State from accepting or acting upon any request from the House of Assembly to set up a panel to investigate allegations of gross misconduct against him.

The chairman of house committee on information however reassured Ondo State indigenes that the embattled deputy governor would be given free hearing and investigations.

He told newsmen in Akure: “That someone is accused of gross misconduct does not mean that person is automatically guilty of gross misconduct. We have to follow due process and I am assuring members of the public that in this matter, due process will be followed.”

Inside sources at Alagbaka told Ikale News that there have been serious pressures on the governor to sheath his sword. The governor is still recovering and needs an agile deputy to do quite a number of things for him, they reasoned.

The sources however said Ayetadiwa’s case is worsened by the fact that he did not carry the commissioners along when he acted as governor.

Said one impeccable source: “Look, I am an Ilaje man. Not an ordinary one. I am a politician of note. But Ayedatiwa cannot claimed he assisted me or anybody since he became deputy and when he acted as governor. So he is more or less alone in this batte. But as a thorough Ilaje man, I am pleading on his behalf. It is not about embezzlement of money only that people get impeached. If the powers that be do not appreciate you, they kick you out. But find out, who is begging for Ayedaitwa now? “

Those who disagree with this view stressed that Ayedatiwa could not help many people because he was not in charge, even as deputy governor. Aketi’s son and wife have been in charge and the singular effort of Ayedatiwa to resist them is that is dangling impeachment on his head now.

Efforts to reach out with Pastor Femi Agagu, whose name is being peddled to replace Ayedatiwa were futile as at press time.

The chief judge of the state is also yet to set up a panel that will finally nail the coffin of the impeachment package, even as rumours fly around that at least 18 legislators have signed the impeachment notice.