Ondo Assembly Declares Lawmakers’ Seats Vacant

The Ondo State House of Assembly on Tuesday declared the seats of two lawmakers vacant over alleged anti-party activities.

The two lawmakers, Mrs Favour Tomomewo and Mr Success Torhukerhijo, representing Ilaje State Constituency II and Ese-Odo state constituency respectively, were said to have belonged to another party other than the All Progressives Congress that sponsored them to the House.

Also, the duo were said to have contested the last primaries under the platform of another party, without officially notifying the Assembly that they had defected to another party.

To this end, the House at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun, directed the Independent Electoral Commission INEC, to conduct a bye election within 90 days for their constituencies.

According to the speaker, the decision of the House followed a letter from the Chairman of APC in the state, Mr Ade Adetimehin to declare their seats vacant as the duo were alleged to have fully participated in the activities of another Party, PDP during the last gubernatorial election and Assembly primaries in the State.

Oleyelogun said, “Based on the APC’s letter and the House having acted in accordance with the section 109(1)and (g) of the 1999 constitution as amended”, adding that the House was declaring their seats vacant while a letter should be written to the INEC to conduct a bye election into the seats within 90 days.

He directed that their benefits and entitlements be stopped forthwith and all government properties in their possession returned.

The speaker, however, affirmed that there was no crisis or division from Ward to the National level of APC to warrant their actions.