The crisis between the Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and his deputy, Simon Achuba, worsened on Wednesday as the state house of assembly commenced the impeachment process of the deputy governor.
The house based its move on the utterances of the deputy governor during his interviews aired on some national television stations.
Apart from this, the lawmakers also accused Achuba of sponsoring the crisis that erupted in Ibaji local government, saying he was indicted by the committee set up to look into the crisis.
The members described the action as gross misconduct against Bello and the people of the state.
The impeachment process was sequel to a petition signed by 21 members of the house which was presented at plenary by the majority leader, Hon Abdullahi Bello.
The petition read in part, “We the members of the Kogi State House of Assembly have in the past few weeks and days watched keenly the actions and utterances of the Deputy Governor of Kogi state , Elder Simon Achuba, both in public and national television with regards to the government of Kogi state, the governor of Kogi state and other key officials of the state government especially the allegations of crimes, financial misappropriation and non performance levelled against them.
“It is our belief that these actions and utterances of the Deputy Governor amount to gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office.”
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The petition also alleged that the committee of the Kogi state government set up to look into the Iyano crises in Ibaji local government, made some finding that indicted the Deputy Governor over his actions in relation to the escalation of the crisis.
“It is our view that that Deputy Governor is guilty of gross misconduct and he ought to answer to and or substantiate all these allegations”
The Speaker of the House, however, has directed that the petition should be transmitted to Achuba, following which the house gave him two weeks to reply.
He, however, said an investigation into the alleged misconduct by the deputy governor commenced immediately.