Speaker: No plans to suspend Oyo Assembly members

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has dismissed rumours that the state House of Assembly is planning to suspend some of its members.

The Speaker, who stated this in his speech to the House on Thursday, said that suspending a member would only create a vacuum under which the electorate and voters would suffer.

He stressed that all members of the 10th House of Assembly of Oyo State must put the needs of their constituents above all other personal interests.

According to recent media reports, tensions are brewing in the Oyo State House of Representatives over the alleged suspension of eleven lawmakers by the House of Representatives.

But the spokesman called for harmony on Thursday in the interest of the people.

Ogundoyin said: “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 and I want to assure you that this is not true.

“We are elected to serve our constituents and we must put their needs above our own interests. Suspending a member would only create a vacuum that would make our constituency suffer and we cannot allow that,” Ogundoyin said.

The spokesman said that some false news and rumors spread by some members under some guise or in some group in recent days could create unnecessary tension and cause avoidable conflicts.

Ogundoyin said: “I stand before you today to address the events of the last week which were characterised by unnecessary tension and division. Some members have chosen to portray themselves as a unity or a dissident group and have thereby created what appears to be a toxic atmosphere in this House.

“Their actions have put us in a bad light and portrayed the so-called disgruntled members as someone who is out of touch with the priorities of our constituents. Let me remind you all that we came to this House to serve and represent our people, 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.

“I urge my colleagues not to spread false reports and not to spread slander about the leadership of the House. We must work together and avoid quarrels and unfounded rumors. This House will not be distracted from its constitutional duties and obligations.

“The media is a powerful tool, for better or for worse, so we must be careful not to use it to spread falsehoods or foment division. Instead, let’s use it to inform, educate and explain to our voters the good work we do.”

“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 vested interests to distract us from our duties. It 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.”

The spokesman appealed to his colleagues to be aware of the sensitivity of their words and actions.

He said: “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 will be harassed or deprived of their rights and entitlements as duly elected members of this honourable assembly.”

Ogundoyin, who called for harmony and cooperation between the legislature and all other arms of government,

“We should avoid issues that could pit the executive branch of the state against the legislature and beware of the antics of external influences whose main aim is to sow disunity and destabilise Parliament.”