IBADAN – A lawmaker has exposed what the opposition All Progressives Congress describes as a plot to impeach Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing the administration of breaching the constitution and seizing local government funds in defiance of a Supreme Court judgment on financial autonomy.
The Oyo State chapter of the APC alleged that Governor Makinde’s administration had continued to seize monthly federal allocations meant for the state’s 33 local government councils, thereby stifling grassroots development. “To say the least, it is a height of power abuse and brazen disregard of the constitution of the country for a governor to call the bluff of the Apex Court over a declarative judgment as Gov. Makinde is doing on the issue of financial autonomy,” the party said in a statement.
The party claims most community projects and services have been stalled, leaving residents without basic infrastructure unless assisted by federal lawmakers. Towns such as Igangan, Iwere-Ile, Lanlate, Lalupon, Ikoyi-Ile, Ahoro-Dada, Adafila and Olorunda were cited as examples of areas suffering due to the inability of their local governments to function independently. “Why would the council chairman in Oriire be denied funds belonging to his people and which he ought to have utilized to provide good roads for the residents of Ikoyi-Ile, Ahoro-Dada, Adafila and Olorunda in the name of joint account with the state government?” the statement queried. The APC also questioned the state government’s use of local government funds to execute projects concentrated mainly in Ibadan, such as bus terminals and statues, while areas like Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa are allegedly denied access to their allocations.
“Since it has been established that Gov. Makinde breached the oath of office after he swore to uphold the Constitution of Nigeria, he has to face the dire consequences. It is on this note that we call on the good people of the state to compel their 32 representatives in the Oyo State House of Assembly to commence the process that would lead to the impeachment of the governor who has taken the people for a ride for too long,” the APC said.
The impeachment call comes amid a separate row between the APC and the Oyo State House of Assembly over an alleged plot to victimise Honourable Ibrahim Shittu, the APC lawmaker representing Saki West Constituency, for opposing Governor Makinde’s N300 billion loan request. In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC alleged that Assembly leaders had perfected plans to accuse Shittu of breaching House rules and subject him to what it called a “kangaroo panel” that would hand him indefinite suspension. The party also claimed there were moves to “attack, victimise and harass” the lawmaker and mobilise thugs to the Assembly complex. “These satanic plans and many more are being sponsored by some unscrupulous elements around the governor who profit from the various sharp practices which the current administration has perpetrated since 2019,” the party alleged.
The House of Assembly dismissed the claims as baseless and politically motivated. “Let it be categorically stated that there is no plot, real or imagined, to victimise Shittu or any other lawmaker. The state Assembly remains a bastion of democracy, where all members, regardless of party affiliation, are treated with respect, fairness, and afforded the freedom to express their views,” Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Media, Public Affairs and ICT, Waheed Akintayo, said in a statement. He described the allegations as false and mischievous, saying the Assembly found it both laughable and regrettable that the Oyo APC would descend to such depths of desperation.
Former lawmakers under the aegis of Oyo State Progressives Ex-Parliamentarians have urged the Inspector General of Police and other security agents to provide protection for Shittu. They said the step became necessary to protect the lawmaker from being attacked by politicians who were not happy with him for exposing the N300 billion loan purportedly approved by the assembly for Governor Makinde.
Governor Makinde is yet to publicly respond to the allegations of financial impropriety or the impeachment call. The House leadership insisted there is no move against any lawmaker and that all members are free to express their views.
