The atmosphere of peace and oneness in the 10th Oyo State House of Assembly may be under threat, given a rumpus over some members’ grievances, which is attracting a suspension decision.
Seventeen members of the House are said to be unhappy with the House leadership, particularly the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.
The aggrieved members, who are largely first-timers, are said to be angry over how Ogundoyin is handling their welfare. Ogundoyin is a second-term Speaker.
The Nation investigation revealed that the 17 aggrieved members adopted the name “10th Assembly New Members Unity Group.” There are 32 members in the Assembly.
The Assembly is made up of members elected on the platforms of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC).
While PDP won 28 seats, APC won four seats.
Fifteen members of the 9th Assembly returned to the current 10th Assembly, while 17 are new members.
The Nation gathered that the 17 aggrieved lawmakers sent a petition to the governor over purchase of cars for them by the Speaker, though some members denied their involvement when contacted. They said their signatures were appended by proxy.
But their action (petition) attracted a backlash from the House leadership with a threat of suspension of concerned lawmakers.
A source told The Nation that the formation of the Unity Group was in contravention of the Assembly’s rules and as such is springing up heated debates of potential disciplinary actions.
The development further heightened tension among the lawmakers and the entire Assembly, as the Assembly complex has been enveloped by graveyard peace.
According to sources, the number of lawmakers who signed the letter forming the Unity Group, initially reported as 11, has now been confirmed to be 14, with some of the House leaders also involved in the signing of the petition.