Kogi Assembly Speaker Upholds Governor Ododo’s Integrity Amid Impeachment Calls

The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Umar Yusuf, has spoken out in defense of Governor Usman Ododo, dismissing allegations that could lead to his impeachment.

This comes after a human rights advocate, Deji Ajare, petitioned for the commencement of impeachment proceedings against the Governor over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office.

The controversy stems from an incident involving Ododo using his motorcade to whisk away his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to arrest him.

The anti-graft commission had laid siege to Bello’s residence to arrest him for arraignment in connection to an N80.2 billion money laundering case.

Despite the petition and public outcry, Speaker Yusuf argues that the Assembly is not in possession of any evidence that Ododo prevented security agencies from arresting his predecessor.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Mohammed Yabagi, the Speaker emphasized that the Assembly has yet to receive any letter seeking the commencement of impeachment proceedings against Governor Ododo.

Yabagi further clarified that the Assembly has not seen any reason to commence impeachment processes, asserting the support of the House for constitutionally recognized security agencies.

He also highlighted that the executive Governor was not even at his Abuja residence during the incident, and there is no concrete evidence that he prevented security agencies from doing their job.

This stance by the Speaker reflects the complexities of the political landscape in Kogi State, where the Governor’s actions have been scrutinized amid accusations of aiding and abetting the escape of his predecessor from the law.

The Nigerian public is now watching closely to see how the situation unfolds, with the potential impeachment of Governor Ododo hanging in the balance.

As the drama continues to unfold, the political integrity of both Governor Ododo and the Kogi State House of Assembly remains under the spotlight.

The public awaits further developments in this saga, which has captured the attention of the nation and raised questions about the ability of Nigeria’s political institutions to uphold the rule of law and ensure accountability.