By Banji Ayoola
The immediate former speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun has waved the olive branch, calling on all stakeholders in the state to make political resolution of the allegations of corruption leveled against the Deputy Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa by the assembly “for peaceful co-existence and good governance for the benefit of the citizenry.”
Also, he expressed appreciation to the Almighty for the safe arrival of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu from a long vacation and prayed that as he assumes office to take full responsibility in governing the state to complete his tenure that he will hand over successfully, hale, and hearty to another All Progressives Congress, APC Governor come February 2025.
Oleyelogun said: “Progress, peace, and tranquility will surely reign supreme in our dear sunshine state.”
In his words: “As a leader and one of the major stakeholders in the state, having legislated for twelve years and being the longest serving Speaker in Ondo State , I don’t want anything that will disrupt the relative peace we are enjoying in Ondo State and having been in the position of a Speaker for six good years uninterrupted in the state cum major players with peace and harmony in the political corridor of the state, we need to enjoy peace and harmony in our dear state.
“As a leader and seasoned legislator in the state, I know what legislative proceedings are all about; justice, fairness, and equity.
“I want to plead with the major players on this issue to play the game according to the rules of engagement.
“This is because what I am hearing is not palatable, and l have been following the trend of the issue on the ground”
Oleyelogun noted that legislative functions are encapsulated in a tripod stool of law making, representation and oversight, he stressed that being the representatives of the people, the lawmakers have the responsibility to investigate any allegation brought before it.
According to him, when an allegation is brought up in the assembly against any person or body, it becomes important to the legislature to investigate such, hence, the ongoing process in the matter of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State is neither to witch hunt nor blackmail him, but to clear air on the matter.
On this basis, he said that whatever the House is doing now over the allegations against the Deputy Governor is within the prism of the law.
Therefore, the ex-Speaker advised Aiyedatiwa to cooperate with the Assembly so as to ensure justice and fairness in the entire proceeding.
He urged the Deputy Governor to make himself available in the hallowed Chamber of the House whenever his attention is needed so that due process will be done on his part too.
Oleyelogun commended the effort of members of the state’s 10th Assembly for ensuring due process on the matter.
