Oyo Assembly suspends LG Chairman over viral video 

The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Thursday, suspended the Chairman of Oyo East local government area, Hon. Olusola Oluokun, over alleged gross misconduct.

The lawmaker representing Lagelu State Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, presented the motion for the suspension of the Chairman.

The decision taken during the plenary was seen by the House as a key step in maintaining accountability and decorum by public officers.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, in his brief remarks, before approving the suspension, cautioned local government Chairmen against arbitrary use of power, especially now that the call for local government autonomy has reached its peak.

He said it was wrong for a sitting Executive Chairman seen as a role model by members of the public to conduct himself in such a manner and warned other Chairmen from conducting themselves in a way that discredits the exalted offices they hold.

The lawmakers representing Oyo East/West State Constituency, Hon. Rahman Olorunpoto and representing Atiba State Constituency, Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, pleaded with the House to tamper justice with mercy and have the erring Chairman cautioned.

However, other lawmakers kicked against the appeal, stressing that such suspension would serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to act recklessly in public without regard to the offices they hold.

The Speaker while lamenting the implication of such public conduct, ordered the Chairman to step aside immediately and hand over to his Vice Chairman, pending the report of further investigations by the House.

He also directed the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations and report back to the House.