By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday announced the suspension of 13 Caretaker Chairman across the local governments (LG) and local council development areas (LCDA) across the state.
The affected caretaker chairmen are from five LGs and eight LCDAs in the State
The indefinite suspension, which takes immediate effect was announced during Tuesday plenary was due to the “non-compliance to the resolution of the House on submission of status of earth moving equipment in their respective domains to the House as requested.”
With the development, the House directed the affected Caretaker Chairmen to hand over to their Secretaries forthwith so as not to create any vacuum.
The lawmakers hinged the indefinite suspension on the failure of the suspended council bosses to submit the report of the status of earth moving equipment in their respective councils to the House as requested and directed.
It would be recalled that the House had on two occasions directed all Council Chairmen in the state to submit the report and gave October 23, 2020 as deadline for the submission of the report.
The affected local government areas include, Ido LG, Oluyole LG, Ibadan North East LG, Itesiwaju LG and Oyo East LG.
The affected LCDA Caretaker Chairmen are those of Akinyele East LCDA, Lagelu West LCDA, Soro LCDA, Ogbomoso Central LCDA, Ogbomoso South LCDA, Ajorosun LCDA, Ibarapa North West LCDA, and Oyo South East LCDA.
Speaking while ruling on the recommendation of the suspension, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin said the affected Caretaker Chairmen demonstrated their gross incompetence over their failure to bring a simple report on the state of earth moving equipment in their different domains.
He added that the Assembly was really disappointed in their action and that both the lawmakers and the people have lost faith in their ability and competence.
He said “In section 21 of the Local Government law, it says without prejudice to the provisions of this law and sequel to the petition received by the State House of Assembly and upon investigation, any culpable Chairman or Vice Chairman shall be recommended for suspension or removal by a resolution of the House.
“It is not a witch-hunt of any Chairman. Thirteen Caretaker Chairmen failed to honor and respect the directive of the House.”
Presenting the report of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters earlier, Hon Segun Ademola (Ibadan South East 2) said despite the grace of another two weeks given by the House to Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas yet to submit the report of earth moving equipment in their domains to do so, which lapsed on October 23rd, 13 Chairmen still failed to submit same as directed.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon Muhammad Fadeyi commended the Committee for doing a good job and described the action of the thirteen Caretaker Chairmen as an affront and an insult to the 9th Oyo State House of Assembly hence they should be suspended indefinitely.
Others including the Majority Leader, Hon Sanjo Adedoyin, the Minority Leader, Hon Asimiyu Alarape, Hon Isiaka Tunde Oyo East/Oyo West and Hon Olusola Owolabi (Ibadan North East 2) were unanimous in applauding the decision of the House to suspend the Caretaker Chairmen and added that it was the duty of the lawmakers to ensure that the Local Government and Local Council Development Areas function effectively well.
