Ibadan-THINGS are now falling apart in the Oyo State House of Assembly as no fewer than 20 of the lawmakers, yesterday stayed away from plenary in protest over what they considered shabby treatment and lack of concern for their welfare by Governor Abiola Ajimobi .
Report from our PolItical Correspondent revealed that the boycott of the plenary forced the Speaker, Hon. Michael Adeyemo and 11 other members of the Assembly present to adjourn abruptly after sitting for few minutes.
It was gathered that the boycott of plenary by the 20 lawmakers, was a sort of ‘coup’ for the Speaker, who had been appealing to them to endure a little more until something would be done on issues of their welfare by the governor.
It was learnt that the aggrieved lawmakers, had circulated a text message to their colleagues early in the morning informing them to boycott sitting to press home their demand for improved welfare.
As a decoy, they all reported in their offices and gave the Speaker the impression that they would file towards the legislative chamber for sitting.
But as soon as the Speaker was ushered into the chamber, the aggrieved lawmakers retreated and left him and others, who were not informed of the plan, wondering what the matter was.
It was further gathered that frantic efforts were made by the lawmakers in attendance to their aggrieved colleagues who shunned all entreaties to make them attend the sitting, forcing the Assembly to sit only for few minutes .
One of the lawmakers who sat at the plenary, while speaking with journalists, said ” though the reason for the boycott is good but the approach adopted by them(colleagues)
is not in order .”
According to him , “None of the ranking members or the functionaries of the House was carried along. It is not good to divide the House. We have collectively agreed on the approach to adopt at the parliamentary caucus. The issue of welfare affects all of us.”
“With this approach, they have sent the wrong signals. It is not good to jump the gun. Now, we must all sit down and resolve this matter. The House has been peaceful and we must maintain the peace”.
It will be recalled that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has 18 members, while Accord party has eight and Labour Party, six, in the 32-member Assembly.
