Reactions As Oyo Assembly Removes Rauf Olaniyan, Approves Bayo Lawal As New Deputy Gov

Various reactions have trailed the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan by the House of Assembly.

Naija News earlier reported that members of the assembly impeached Olaniyan on Monday around 11.30 am during the house plenary, noting that the impeachment takes immediate effect.

This follows the reading and adoption of the recommendations of a report of the seven-man panel set up by the State Chief Judge, Munta Abimbola to investigate allegations levelled against the deputy governor.

The report was read on the floor by the Majority Leader of the House, Sanjo Adedoyin and Olaniyan was found guilty of all the charges against him.

His removal followed the petition against him brought to the attention of the House by some members of the assembly during plenary.

Some of the offences listed against Olaniyan by the lawmakers include gross misconduct, abuse of office, financial recklessness, abandonment of office, official duty and insubordination.

However, the assembly has approved the nomination of Adebayo Lawal as the new Deputy Governor of the state.

It is understood that the State Governor, Seyi Makinde had earlier forwarded Lawal’s name for consideration and approval by the lawmakers.

Reading the Governor’s letter of request, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, stated that Makinde’s request is a response to an earlier letter sent by lawmakers to him dated July 18 informing him of the removal of Olaniyan from office.

After some lawmakers spoke about the nomination, the Speaker put the nomination to a voice vote and Lawal was confirmed as the new Deputy Governor.

Naija News recalls Lawal was also recently announced by Makinde as his running mate for the 2023 election.

Following the development, some netizens took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to express their opinions regarding Olaniyan’s removal and the appointment of Lawal as the new deputy governor.

See some of the reactions below.

@realdongabriel wrote: “The Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan who decamped to the APC has been officially impeached by the Oyo state house of Assembly today.

“Finally, the Judas Iscariot of Seyi Makinde’s administration is gone.”

@AgbogunleriSM wrote: “The impeachment of Engr Rauf Olaniyan is long-awaited. We have not seen the hypocrites who defended the impeachment trial of former Deputy Governor Chief Agboola Ajayi.”

@DejiOluwatobi wrote: “Finally, the political joker and now former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan has been booted out/impeached by Oyo State House of Assembly. I didn’t even know he would survive the axe this longer.”

@IamTopsy4real wrote: “Finally the chicken has gotten home to hatch. Oyo state Assembly has finally impeached Deputy Governor, Rauf Olaniyan.”

@AilotueRoger wrote: “Here we go! Ogbeni Rauf Olaniyan, the former deputy governor to governor Seyi Makinde has been impeached, agreement seal and sign by the Oyo state government bonus and add-ons is not included confirmation statement to be issued by the state government in the next few hours here we go.”

@Troublshooter01 wrote: “Heavily shocked by the news of the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan. I like to comment that this is what is obtainable in a setting where the legislative arm does not act independently of the Executive.”

@ib1ness wrote: “Now that Rauf Olaniyan has been impeached, what next ?”