Ogundoyin eases tensions in Oyo Assembly over suspension

Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said on Thursday that no MP would be suspended on suspicion of working against the leadership of the House.

Mr Ogundoyin stated this in his address to the plenary of Parliament on Thursday.

Tensions arose in the assembly over alleged plans to suspend eleven members.

Of the eleven MPs, all of whom are entering the assembly for the first time, seven belong to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and four to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

The MPs concerned are said to have previously reported the Speaker to Governor Seyi Makinde in a petition written under the auspices of the Unity Forum.

The petition detailed allegations that the Speaker had excluded them from the affairs of the Assembly and, among other things, managed Eid-el-Kabir gifts from the Governor.

However, Mr Ogundoyin, in his address to the plenary on Thursday, explained that suspending a member would only create a vacuum that would harm the electorate and the voting public.

He stressed that lawmakers must prioritize the needs of their constituents over their own personal interests.

“It has come to my attention that we have finalised plans to suspend the so-called errant members of the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly. I want to assure you that this is not true.

“We were elected to serve our constituents and we must put their needs above our personal interests. Suspending a member will only create a vacuum that voters will suffer from and we cannot allow that,” he said.

Mr Ogundoyin said that the false news and rumours being spread in the last few days by some members under any guise or in any group could create unnecessary tension and cause avoidable conflict.

“I stand before you today to address the events of the last week, which have been marked by unnecessary tensions and divisions. Some Members have chosen to portray themselves as a unity or dissident group, creating what appears to be a toxic atmosphere in this House.

“Their actions have put us in a bad light and created the impression that the so-called disgruntled members are out of touch with the priorities of our constituents.”

“I want to remind you that we came to this house to serve and represent our people and not to pursue personal interests or agendas. We have a sacred responsibility to work together for the good of Oyo State and its citizens. We must not allow petty squabbles and selfish ambitions to distract us from our noble mission,” he said.

The Speaker urged parliamentarians to refrain from spreading false news and defaming the Assembly leadership.

“We must work together and avoid disputes and unfounded rumors.
“This House will not be distracted from its constitutional responsibilities and duties,” he said.

The speaker described the media as a powerful tool, both for good and for bad, and said members of the Assembly should not misuse it to spread falsehoods or foment division.

“Instead, let us use the opportunity to inform, educate and enlighten our constituents on the good work we are doing. We must focus on the task at hand and work together to fulfil our promises to the people of Oyo State.

“We must not allow personal interests to distract us from our duties. This is not business as usual and we must rise above petty politics to serve our constituents with integrity and dedication. Let us put our constituents first and work together to build a better Oyo State for all,” he said.

Mr Ogundoyin appealed to his colleagues to be aware of the sensitivity of their words and actions.

“We must be aware of the impact our statements can have on our colleagues, our constituents and the stability of this House. We must work together, even when there are differences of opinion, to achieve greater things.”

“Let me say here that no member or members will be disadvantaged or deprived of their rights and entitlements as duly elected members of this honourable assembly,” he said.

The speaker also called for harmony and cooperation between the legislature and other branches of government.

“We should avoid issues that could pit the executive against the legislature and beware of the antics of external influences whose main aim is to sow disunity and destabilize the House,” he said.

(NAN)