Ondo Assembly crisis: APC leaders fault lawmaker’s comment on re-ordered Budget

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Akoko North West Constituency 2 have dissociated themselves from the recent comment by lawmaker representing them in the state house of assembly, Mr Gbenga Araoyinbo on the reordered Budget recently presented by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to the legislators.

They made their intentions known at a press conference organised by concerned leaders in Akoko North West on Monday in Irun-Akoko.

They noted that Araoyinbo is not working in the interest of the people he represents.

The chairman of the party in the constituency, Alhaji Abdul Bello, condemned Honourable Araoyinbo for not seeking the advice of his constituents and leaders of the party in the area before taking decisions that could hamper the progress of the region.

It would be recalled that Araoyinbo had made some comments in the National dailies that 2018 reordered budget exercise by the state government was unconstitutional and an attempt to cover up ‘shady deals’ by the governor.

Bello, who is also a party leader in the constituency, said it was imperative for the lawmaker to retrace his steps for his own integrity and benefit of his constituents to also benefit in the dividends of democracy as promised by Gov. Akeredolu.

“What has he done for us in the constituency? He has done nothing for us. We have not felt any impact of his presence in the legislative representation.

“Had his trip to Abuja been successful, hoping to be confirmed by the party as the house of representative candidate of the region, would he be abusing the governor? No.

“He should know that he was not the only person affected by the primary issues. This is not the first time such things will be happening, it had happened during the period Awolowo was leading us and we knew how we went about it then.

“But for him to now be involving himself in such activities that are not palatable to us, we won’t condone it, it is totally rejected by the constituency that is our position.

“All he is doing will not affect the governor, it is his constituents that would bear the brunt of his actions, so we are rejecting his actions,” he said.

Similarly, the Vice Chairman of APC in Akoko North West Local Government Area, Alhaji Akindele Oloruntoba wondered why state government’s effort to effect transformation of the state and especially after years of neglects in the region could be prevented by someone who is supposed to work in the interest of the people.

Oloruntoba said the lawmaker had never consulted the leaders of the party in the region on any decision which had never gone down well with people in the area.

He noted that in the past, Assembly members always consult their constituents and leaders before taking ‘grave’ positions on matters of interests.

In the same vein, another leader, Mr Esan Owolabi condemned Araoyinbo, emphasizing that though there should be independence of the three arms of government, noting that stakeholders should however work towards what would impart positively on the lives of their people.

Owolabi commended the various steps being taken by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his efforts at transforming the state.

“He is on his own, I am emphatic about it, we are with the governor. The senate committee on works just commended Akeredolu because of what he has been doing in our region; all we ask Araoyinbo to do is to support the governor.

“We are not saying there should be no independence of legislators, but they should work with executive for the progress of the state.

Also, Alhaji Saliu Aro called on Mr Gbenga Araoyinbo to focus on his primary assignment rather than creating confusion among followers.

Aro stressed that statement he had earlier made was carried out without consultation with the people he represents.