Akin to volcanic heat, the political atmosphere in Ondo State is blazing. The latest update reveals that the State House of Assembly suspended three lawmakers; raising tensions.

According to news reports, Deputy Speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, Adewale Williams and Favour Semilore Tomomewo were on Wednesday, suspended for unruly behaviour. Attention was, however, called to the fact that two of the suspended members were among the nine that disassociated themselves from the impeachment plot against the Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Agboola had defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and was formally welcomed by its national chairman, Uche Secondus as well members. Weeks after, members of the State Assembly who are loyalists to the State Governor, Rotimi Akerodolu appeared to have hatched a plot to remove Ajayi from office.

On Tuesday, the impeachment plans became definite as 14 members of the Assembly, out of the 26, signed an impeachment notice for the Deputy Governor while nine members disassociated themselves from the move; refusing to sign and partake in the impeachment process. 

Nigerians were quick to connect dots; pointing out how this recent development would affect the current impeachment process embarked upon by the Ondo Assembly.  Many opined that with the latest suspension, the numbers for those needed to ensure the impeachment occurs, have been drastically reduced. They highlighted that for an impeachment process to be successful, they need 2/3rd signatures of the members of the Assembly and that would not be possible with the three members dismissed. 

Dear members of Ondo state House of Assembly, kindly note that your attempt to get 2/3 majority by suspending some members is an exercise in futility.

— junior member of the bar. (@vezoke) July 8, 2020

The suspension today of some members of the Ondo state House of Assembly cannot give those eager to impeach the Deputy Governor any numerical advantage.

— junior member of the bar. (@vezoke) July 8, 2020

BREAKING: Nine members of the ondo state house of assembly have dissociated themselves from the impeachment process against the deputy governor,making it impossible to attain the 18 signatories required for two third majority as stipulated in the constitution. pic.twitter.com/7UDitwf5EE

— T. Bolanle Cole Esq.?? (@BolanleCole) July 7, 2020

Some Nigerians expressed disappointment that the first time the lawmakers would trend since their inauguration, is on the day of their suspension. Some stressed that politics in Nigeria had become a mess; with politicians seeking what they can gain in their pockets and refusing to represent the interest of the people they were elected to serve.

Ondo Assembly has suspended the deputy speaker while the majority leader resigned today. So shameful to hear that they are just trending since their inauguration.

— AAUASU PRO(BARRYFEM) (@barryfem1) July 8, 2020

Sad to see what politics have turned into in Nigeria. Politicians rather run after what they can amass for themselves rather than working for the interest of the people

— skubs (@revcitizin) July 8, 2020

Let nobody say constitutionality or "standing for the people" in everything that is happening at the Ondo Assembly. On both sides, na just survival and politicking be the other day with different interests in play.

Leave fight for democracy out of your mouth!

— Olùsọ̀tàn (@O_Gbemiro) July 8, 2020

 

Some highlighted how political drama seems to have spread its tentacles from Edo State to Ondo State as well; commenting on the rising tensions in Nigeria in this election season.

They didn't even give us time to relax at all. From Edo state we immediately move to Ondo state for another Episode of Naija Politicking

— Gem Omojuwa (@omojuwagem) July 8, 2020