The Ikere Local Government Area (LGA) of Ekiti State has been embroiled in a controversy over the alleged suspension of its chairman, Oluwafemi Ayodele, popularly known as Otunba, by some councilors.
The councilors were said to have suspended Ayodele over a video he posted online that criticized the deputy governor of the state, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye.
However, seven out of the eleven councilors in the LGA have come out to deny any involvement in the suspension of the chairman.
They claimed that the suspension letter and the signatures of the councilors were forged by some disgruntled elements who wanted to tarnish the image of the chairman and the LGA.
The seven councilors, led by the Leader of the House, Owoeye Sesan, issued a press release on Monday, October 9, 2023, to clear the air on the matter.
They stated that they did not accuse the chairman of any wrongdoing or receive any complaint against him from any quarter. They also expressed their support for the chairman and his administration.
The press release read in part:
“We the under-listed members of the legislative arm of government in Ikere Local government area council deny our involvement in the above-mentioned subject and that:
“(i) We did not at any point or time, seat on the above matter within the chamber or any private place
“(ii) We did not or do not at any point accuse of chairman of any wrong doing during his official conduct or duty
“(iii) We did not receive any official or verbal complain form any quarter against the chairman
“We therefore call on you Mr chairman and the general public to please disregard the information, this information is false and should be disregarded.
“We therefore call on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Others Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to please investigate the letter signed by Hon Taiwo Adegboye and his fellow perpetrators on how they came about the signatures of the honorable.
“We hereby use the avenue to inform you that you should disregard the previous letter by Hon Taiwo Adegboye the deputy leader. Thanks”
The press release was signed by Hon Owoeye Sesan, Leader of the House, Hon Owolabi Toyin Julius, Majority leader representing Idemo Ward, Babade Ajayi Toyin (Deputy Majority leader) representing Are/Araromi/Ayetoro ward, Kayode Odunayo (Deputy Chief Whip) representing Odose Ward, Orebe Sunday (member) representing Afao/Kajola ward, Alaba Abiodun (member) representing Oke Osun Ward and Ibrahim Fausat (member) representing Agbado/Oyo ward.
The alleged suspension of Ayodele was announced in the early hours of Monday, October 9, 2023, following a resolution letter signed by eight out of the eleven councilors that make up the council legislature.
According to the letter, Ayodele was accused of defying the government’s directives and posting a video online that castigated the personality of the deputy governor. The video, which went viral and is still trending, has negatively affected the image of Ekiti State. The letter also stated that the councilors have sought the concurrence and superior authority of the House of Assembly to uphold their decision.
The letter read in part:
“We the undersigned Councillors have suspended you indefinitely as the local government chairman of Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State for gross misconduct and abuse of office.
“We have seek the concurrence and superior authority of the House of Assembly to uphold decision.
“Among other misconduct and abuse of office was your videos that you made to castigate the personality of the Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye and the desecration of the institution of the office of the Governor of Ekiti State.
“You posted a video which went viral and still trending as we write. This has negatively affected the image of Ekiti State.
“Hence you must pay for the damage done by vacating the chairmanship seat indefinitely.
“We hereby notify you of your indefinite suspension with immediate effect to prevent those who are poised for war in defense of the Deputy Governor take laws into their hands by resulting to self-help. Thanks”
The letter was signed by Hon Taiwo Adegboye (Deputy Leader) representing Atiba/Aafin Ward, Hon Akinola Funke (member) representing Igele/Aroku Ward, Babasola Rotimi (member) representing Okeruku Ward, Oroko Olabisi (Chief Whip) Ilapeju/Ijao ward and others.
The chairman has not reacted to either of the letters as at the time of filing this report.
