Gov Ajimobi of Oyo State

Gbenro Adesina/ Ibadan

The Oyo State House of Assembly and the Executive Arm of Government of the State are spoiling for a fight over the recent inauguration of the caretaker chairmen of Local Government Council and Local Council Development Areas.

The lawmakers are accusing the Governor of the State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi of usurping their powers by including those not screened by the House for the among those sworn in as caretaker chairmen.

The lawmakers, at a plenary session, decried the step of the Governor and stated that they have ordered the arrest of any caretaker Chairman that had not been screened but still parading himself as such by the police.

Leading the debate on the issue, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola from Atiba State Constituency and supported by Hon. Segun Olaleye condemned the Governor for overriding and setting aside the decision of the House saying each arm of Government has its boundary and responsibilities.

Oyekola, who drew the attention of the house to the impending danger on the inauguration of two rejected nominees and substitution of the screened nominee for Lagelu West LCDA also called the attention of his colleagues to some reports that the house screened 55 nominees but the executive headed by Governor Abiola Ajimobi went ahead to inaugurate 57 nominees by not taking into consideration the two nominees who had earlier been rejected for the positions by the House.

Oyekola pointed out that the Governor’s action has resulted in crisis in Lagelu West LCDA over who is the authentic chairman as the person who was screened has been replaced with another person without the knowledge of the house.

The house had last week dropped Mudasir Agbaje (Irepo LGA) and Taiwo Adeleke (Asabari LCDA) on issues of certificate and performance at the screening exercise.

Other lawmakers, including Hon. Wumi Oladeji accused the Speaker of the House, Hon. Michael Adeyemo of conniving with the Executive arm of Government to override the collective decision of the Assembly.

The Speaker, however, absolved himself of any connivance as the oath of office had been taken before his entering the executive chamber of the Governor’s office where the swearing-in took place.

He later led a voice vote during which the aggrieved lawmakers called for the arrest of chairmen not screened by them but sworn in by the governor.

The lawmakers equally called for a proper investigation into the matter and further ordered the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy matters to appear before the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

It will be recalled that the State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi had during the swearing in of the caretaker chairmen last Friday removed the names of some nominees earlier cleared by the House and substituted same with new ones at the last minute following agitation in some quarters.