Abiodun backs emergence of new Ogun Assembly Speaker

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has spoken up on the impeachment of Olakunle Oluomo as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, saying the lawmakers have the prerogative to choose their leader in line with the constitution.

Abiodun spoke more than 48 hours after the leadership crisis rocking the Assembly.

Olumo, the member representing Ifo I constituency, was impeached on Tuesday, during a plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mrs Bolanle Ajayi.

Oluomo, who has been dragged to court by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial misappropriation was impeached by 18 lawmakers out of 26 member-assembly.

He was impeached over alleged gross misconduct, high handedness, lack of focus and transparency, arrogance, poor leadership style, financial misappropriation and inciting members against one another.

But, reacting to Oluomo’s impeachment, Abiodun insisted that the lawmakers have the prerogative to elect their leaders in line with the stipulated law.

The Governor stated this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinmade in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Abiodun said his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state are working on finding lasting solution to the leadership crisis at the Assembly.

The statement reads: “The Government of Ogun State has keenly taken note of the events on the floor of the Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday regarding the alleged impeachment of the Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Olakunle Oluomo, by members of the legislative arm during a sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Bolanle Ajayi.

“Working with the leadership of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the government intends to see all the contending issues resolved in a democratic, fair, and just manner.

“There had been internal wrangling in the Assembly that had persisted and degenerated despite several interventions.

“The Ogun State government notes that the Honourable Members have openly stated that their grouse is not with the Governor, whom they again pledged their loyalty to.

“It is the prerogative of members of the House of Assembly to choose their leadership in line with the constitution and the law guiding the conduct of the Assembly.

“Given that the Ogun electorate gave us a mandate to represent their best interests and deliver democratic dividends that will significantly improve their well-being, the Ogun State government, along with the party leadership, have intervened to ensure that whatever disagreement members have is resolved peacefully and amicably, so that the delivery of democratic dividends to our people will not be hampered in any way.

“The Ogun State government considers all members of the House of Assembly as partners in the building of our future agenda and will always prioritise issues that affect them.”