WALE AKINSELURE writes on the apparent hide and seek triggered by the petition written by 17 members of the Oyo State House of Assembly against its leadership, which appears a play back of similar internal rumbling in the past, as well as how the Speaker, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin attempted to douse the apprehension.
TENSION gripped the Oyo State House of Assembly about a fortnight ago when 17 members of the state House of Assembly, all first timers, queried the leadership of the Assembly over issues bordering on welfare, funding, lack of transparency and accountability. The aggrieved members, under the umbrella of the Unity Group, had at the end of a meeting come out with a communiqué containing resolutions forwarded to both the Speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin and the state governor, Seyi Makinde, seeking an urgent intervention. The members of the forum are: Honourables Abiodun Babalola, Olorunpoto Rahaman, Jimoh Lukman, Olufunke Comforter, Akintayo Waheed, Misubau Azeez, Oladeji Oparinde, Ogundele Akintola, Ogunsola Anthony, Waliu Ayinde, Bisi Oluranti, Dawood Olalere, Opeyemi Akande, Olalekan Abiola, Abideen Ogundare, Olayinka Omikunle and Ibrahim Shittu. However, Honourables Olayinka Omikunle, Bisi Oluranti, Opeyemi Akande and Waliu Ayinde did not append their signatures to the communiqué at that time.
The Unity Group demanded an open dialogue on the allocation of empowerment funds to ensure that the funds are distributed in a manner that is equitable, transparent and beneficial to members. Coupled with this was their call for transparency and accountability in the procurement of their official vehicles claiming that they got information that contrary to assurances of the Speaker of the purchase of brand new 2023 model Toyota Camry, the plan was now to purchase brand new 2022 model Toyota Camry vehicles. They cautioned against the allocation of refurbished vehicles as official cars. “It is crucial that this process is conducted with integrity and members are fully informed about the decisions and expenditures involved. We are aware of a document signed by the Clerk of the House after a certificate of no objection was obtained from the due process office, and we have our reservations as the document already provides cause for concern,” the communiqué read.
Another main demand of the aggrieved lawmakers bordered on security funds. They called for an immediate review of the sharing formula for local government security funds to members. They underscored the demand on their belief that under the current arrangement, what was released to members is less than 30 percent of what local governments remit to the Assembly monthly. The lawmakers equally asked for a defined festive period support fund for members to enable them cater for the needs of their constituents during festive periods and prevent what they called excessive borrowing by members to meet the demands of their constituents. “Members are equally surprised that the leadership of the House failed to provide welfare support for members during the last Ileya festival despite the budgetary allocation,” they stated in the communiqué.
But quite remarkable about the action of the lawmakers was their intention to have an audience with Governor Makinde. In a specific term, they requested a quarterly meeting with him recalling that the last meeting the Assembly held with the state governor was in December 2023. Nonetheless, the first term legislators underlined their loyalty to the authority of the state Assembly. While affirming their support for the Ogundoyin led Assembly and Governor Makinde administration, members of the group held that the resolutions were put forward, “in the best interest of our constituents and to uphold the principles of fairness and accountability within the Assembly.” But it was apparent that they envisaged certain consequences of their move. Thus, they had, in the letter, demanded that: “No member, especially new members, should be intimated or punished, in any way, by the Speaker and the entire leadership of the house for raising our voices in demand for accountability.”
It was no surprise that the action of the lawmakers elicited spontaneous reactions beyond the cones of the Assembly and precinct of government offices. The query by the Unity Group sent shock waves across both the leadership of the Assembly, the state government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is because the group comprises largely members of the PDP, the ruling party in the state. The anticipation of the group about the aftermath of the communiqué was in order as the news about their protests spread like wild fire. The members were bombarded with calls from party leaders, other main stakeholders in the state, with many concerned individuals urging them to act with utmost caution, pipe down on their requests in the interest of the party and the reputation of the state government. It was learnt that the subtle pressure on them via such calls caused some members of the group to shiver, as a few of those that signed the document began to make a tactical retreat on the agitations. The calls got so stormy that the number of those keen on pushing on with the petition continued to drop by the day. Like Peter in the Bible, some members of the group denied being party to the agitation, three times. According to some observers, the first time members are the “whipping boys” of the agitation, as they may have the latent support of some older members of the Assembly.
Wielding the big stick
As the development in the Assembly spread ferociously, there began to emerge fears at what would be the fate of the perceived “erring” lawmakers. Relying on House Rules, tongues wagged that some of them may be sanctioned over what was described in some political circles as an act of “insurbodination.” Moreover, there were speculations that the erring lawmakers could be dealt with, in the short term or long term, in ways more than one. In the legislature, lawmakers could be dealt with under the umbrella of reconstitution, reshuffling of House Committees with heads of committees becoming members or members who used to be in two or more committees consigned to one committee. Some observers also averred that the lawmakers could be rendered ineffective without adequate release of funds.
Interestingly, the speaker of the Assembly, Honourable Adebo Ogundoyin, was also in the eye of the storm in 2020 when three members of the ninth Assembly, Honourable Ayo Fatokun, Honourable Hakeem Adedibu and Honourable Olamide Akinajo also led a charge against the House leadership over alleged lack of transparency in running the affairs of the Assembly and indecisiveness in canvassing for the general desires of lawmakers from Governor Makinde. With possible impeachment of Speaker Ogundoyin, looming then, leaders of the PDP in the state; the governor’s advisory council had convened meetings of the lawmakers to calm frayed nerves. The three did suffer immediate and long-term consequences of their move then with Honourable Akinajo immediately removed as chairman of the House Committee on Works and Transport, while the trio failed to secure a second term return to the state Assembly.
Like then, the alleged lack of transparency and accountability is the crux of the agitation of some 10th Assembly lawmakers. When the Assembly convened on June 27, all eyes were on the speaker to know how he would ‘deal’ with the storm this time. The pensive mood on the floor of the assembly was palpable as the first time lawmakers took their seats that day. Reading his address, titled: “Our Constituents First,” Ogundoyin described the tension in the Assembly as unnecessary. He decried that the Unity Group had created a “seemingly toxic atmosphere in the House.” He stressed: “Their actions have put us in a bad light and have presented the so-called aggrieved members as being out of touch with the priorities of our constituents. Let me remind you all that we have come to this House to represent our people not to pursue personal interests or agendas.” Ogundoyin discountenanced purported plan to suspend “erring” members of the 10th Assembly, saying such would be a disservice to the constituents of lawmakers. “We are elected to serve our constituents, and we must prioritise their needs above our own interests. Suspending any member would only create a vacuum that would make our electorates suffer, and we cannot allow that to happen.” He cautioned the lawmakers on the manner of making their agitations and make the stability of the Assembly their utmost interest. “Every lawmaker has the right to express themselves, to share their thoughts and opinions, and to represent their constituents’ interests. However, we must also be mindful of the sensitivity of our words and actions. We must be aware of the impact our statements can have on our colleagues, on our constituents and on the stability of this house. We must avoid spreading falsehood or misinformation capable of creating unnecessary tension and conflict. We must work together, even in the face of disagreement in order to achieve greater things. Let me say here that, no member will be victimized or deprived their rights and entitlements as duly elected members of this honourable Assembly,” Ogundoyin said.
The plenary did see Ogundoyin announce the dissolution and reconstitution of three committees. The House Committee on Health headed by Honourable Saminu Gbadamosi, a second term member, was expanded to become Committee on Health, Nutrition and Food Security. The House Committee on Public Accounts previously headed by Honourable Olorunpoto Rahman, a first time member, is now to be headed by Honourable Owolabi Olusola, a second term member. The House Committee on Environment previously led by Honourable Owolabi Olusola now has Honourable Gbenga Oyekola, the Chief Whip as chairman. The planned dissolution of the Tenders Committee was stopped upon advise by some key members of the plenary on its consequences.
The June 27 plenary did serve the purpose to douse tension but have those agitations been killed? Those in defence of the speaker hold that the House cannot give what it does not have. They argue that: “If there is no approval from the executive, there is nothing the legislature can do.” They also posit that the agitating lawmakers are being misguided; ignorant, misinformed as they are equating privileges for rights and assuming that there is a free flow of money into the Assembly coffers. Some observers view the scenario as a case of shifting the buck, just as constituents are pressurizing the lawmakers, the lawmakers in turn are putting pressure on the House leadership expecting that the House leadership should also put pressure on the executive to release funds.
Some former lawmakers of the Oyo House of Assembly to include Honourable Bolaji Badmus hold that the speaker “should be more transparent, if he is perceived not to be.” Badmus also notes that the crucial issue is that the Assembly should be allowed to function on its own not as an annex of the executive. Another former lawmaker of the eight Assembly, Honourable Olukayode Akande said fiasco emanating over money for Sallah celebration questions the maturity, experience and discipline of members of the 10th House of Assembly. He said: “The House has a budget for each year and I believe there is a budgetary provision for all expenses of the House, provided members don’t go to the executive cap in hand genuflecting for money. Therefore, any fund for Sallah celebration or any religious or social celebration, though palpably gratuitous, inconsequential and unconstitutional by nature, ought to have been well appropriated instead of allowing such to turn the hallowed chamber to a madhouse.” Akande stressed that lawmakers should be more alive to their primary responsibilities as enshrined in the constitution while the leadership of the House should be disciplined enough and exhibit integrity as the hallmark of its activities and dealings.
A former majority leader of the Assembly, Honourable Kehinde Subair, defended the Oyo speaker, saying he cannot just release funds at will. He questioned whether the funds for Sallah celebration were actually budgeted for. He reminded the members of the 10th Assembly on House rules guiding the conduct of members as he enjoined the Speaker to use his wisdom to ensure decorum among members of the House. On his part, Honourable Olusegun Ajanaku, a former Chairman, Parliamentary Caucus of the Oyo Assembly, said the 10th Assembly must take serious having regular parliamentary caucus meetings for the Assembly to quickly quell looming crisis. According to Ajanaku, the petition by the Unity Group could have been discussed and trashed out at such parliamentary caucus without resulting in acrimony in the Assembly. “Such meetings helped us maintain the unity of the House, peace in the state, notwithstanding the differences in political affiliation of members as at that time. It is highly imperative that the 10th Assembly takes the issue of regular parliamentary meetings seriously.” On release of funds for festivities, Ajanaku stressed the need to distinguish between privilege and right. “If it is a right, the denial of it becomes an issue. Otherwise, privilege can only be served when such funds are available and the situation permits for it to be released.”
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