A political crisis appears to be brewing in the Ondo State Youth Parliament as eighteen members have formally commenced impeachment proceedings against the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ayo Shedrack, over alleged gross misconduct, negligence and abuse of office.
The lawmakers, in a statement made available to journalists, said the action followed what they described as over eight months of sustained dereliction of duty, institutional abuse and failure of leadership by the Speaker.
According to the members, the impeachment move became a constitutional necessity after the Speaker allegedly ignored a 48-hour ultimatum earlier issued to him to tender his resignation. They said the ultimatum, conveyed through a press statement, was met with “silence and utter contempt,” which they claimed further demonstrated his unfitness for the office.
The aggrieved members accused the Speaker of wilful intemperance, persistent absence from official responsibilities and refusal to delegate authority despite repeated appeals from members of the parliament. They also alleged that the Speaker failed to convene official sittings since the inauguration of the parliament, thereby stalling legislative activities.
Other allegations listed by the members include failure to facilitate payment of sitting allowances to members, refusal to procure official identification cards for duly inaugurated lawmakers and what they described as a dismissive attitude toward parliamentary processes. They further alleged that the Speaker allowed unauthorised individuals to interfere in the affairs of the parliament and benefit from privileges meant for legitimate members.
The lawmakers also faulted the Speaker for allegedly failing to pay statutory courtesy visits to key government stakeholders, including officials of the Ondo State Ministry of Youth Development, which they said deprived the parliament of institutional support and goodwill.
They, however, maintained that the impeachment process was not driven by personal animosity but by a commitment to defend democratic principles and protect the collective interests of youths in Ondo State.
But reacting to the development when contacted, the embattled Speaker denied being aware of any impeachment move by members of the parliament.
“I am not aware of any 18 members impeachment plot. Parliament has a place of conducting business and there are rules of engagement in a parliamentary setting,” he said.
He further argued that the alleged move did not follow due parliamentary procedure, adding that a valid parliamentary sitting requires proper notice.
“Although this one is a mock parliament under the whim and caprice of the Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth and Sport Development. There can only be a 48 hours notice for a parliamentary sitting, anything short of that is a mockery of parliamentary engagement,” the Speaker added.
0 comments: