“Tani a na, tani ara nta”?
I do not think the Speaker and members of the Oyo state House of Assembly averted their minds to the above question while dissipating energy to pass a motion which called for a wide range of actions against a former aide of the late former Governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu.
Dr. Doyin Odebowale was alleged to have made what the Oyo state House of Assembly termed ” derogatory remarks against the Soun of Ogbomoso” while appearing on a program anchored by Temitayo Oyeladun, aka ” Aabo Oro”.
As a result of that, a motion was moved by Hon. SA Onaolapo, Leader of the House and co sponsored by Hon. JA Ogundele, Hon. Mrs. O. M Michael and Hon. AA Ogundare.
The House, while deliberating on the Motion, described the alleged derogatory comments by Dr. Odebowale as ” factually incorrect, disrespectful and inciting”.
The House notes ” the critical role(s) of traditional institutions in preserving culture, heritage and community cohesion in Oyo state”.
They observed that Dr. Odebowale’s remarks ” breached the NBC Code of ethics and the NBC Act, Cap 11, LFN 2004.
The House therefore proceeded to” urge the Executive Arm of Government to take appropriate steps to safeguard traditional institutions in Oyo state”.
Not only that, the House called on the office of the Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice, Oyo state to ” seek Legal remedy against Dr. Odebowale for making defamatory remarks against the Soun of Ogbomoso, while also urging the Ministry of Information and orientation to move the NBC to ” make” disciplinary action against Lagelu FM and its presenter, Temitayo Oyeladun aka Aabo Oro ” whom they accused of” failing to uphold professional broadcasting ethics “.
I have carefully gone through the reported proceedings and the resolutions of the Oyo state House of Assembly on the above subject matter and I am terribly worried for my Dear state.
I have kept asking myself, is this the same state where Davidson Mokolade Gbolagunte was once a Speaker?
Is this the same pace setter state where a young and vibrant Bayo Shittu was once a member of the House of Assembly?
Is this the same state where Dr. Akin Onigbinde, now SAN was once Speaker?
Where Michael Adeniyi Akintola, also now SAN was Deputy Speaker?
Are we not in soup?
I do not know Dr. Odebowale neither do I know Temitayo Oyeladun apart from the facts that I know him to be a program presenter at Lagelu FM.
I have never had opportunity to see him face to face but, as citizens, we have a duty to contribute our voice to ensure that those in position of authority do not get too drunk with power.
I will not touch on the contents of the interview been complained about, rather, I am concerned about the interest of the Oyo state House of Assembly in a matter of alleged Defamation of the characters of the Soun of Ogbomoso.
I am of the strong view that the Soun of Ogbomoso is more than capable of pursuing an action against anyone who he feels has defamed him.
All he needs to do is to instruct his Lawyers to do the needful.
So, what is the business of the Oyo state House of Assembly in this matter?
How does an alleged Defamation against the Oba becomes a state affair?
When I read the resolution calling on the Attorney general of Oyo state to ” seek legal remedy against Dr. Odebowale for making defamatory and inciting remarks against the Soun of Ogbomoso, I had mixed feelings.
First, I saw the call as very hilarious because I don’t know how the House of Assembly wants the Attorney general to do that.
Institute an action against who? As who?
How could the Oyo Attorney general institute an action by proxy in a matter of defamation of an Oba?
Who is allegedly defamed? Who will be filing an action?
I do not think that the Oyo state House of Assembly knows the roles and the limitations of the roles of a state Attorney general and Commissioner for Justice.
I am not unaware of the fact that they also raised the issue of ” incitement”.
This is also a matter the Soun could and should be able to handle through his Lawyers if he felt someone has incited people against him.
I also note that the Oyo state House of Assembly didn’t bother about fair hearing. They were the judge in their own court.
From the report, I didn’t see that neither of Dr. Odebowale nor Lagelu FM or Temitayo Oyeladun was invited to appear and make their own cases.
It is also not reported that the Soun of Ogbomoso petitioned the Oyo state House of Assembly about the alleged derogatory comments against him.
Is it that the Oyo state House of Assembly considered such trivial matters as a matter of urgent public importance or what?
The other part of the resolution which made me laugh, albeit with concerns is where the House called on the Executive Arm of Government to ” take proactive steps to safeguard traditional institutions in Oyo state”!
An Executive Arm of Government headed by Governor Seyi Makinde? To safeguard traditional institutions in Oyo state?
What is left to be safeguarded?
Thankfully, Debo Ogundoyin, the Speaker of the Oyo state House of Assembly is from Eruwa where Governor Makinde is poised to overrule the Supreme Court by attempting to re-enthrone Samuel Adebayo Adegbola who had been removed as the Eleruwa.
Is Dr. Odebowale or Temitayo Oyeladun behind the illegality in Eruwa?
Is it the duo who had approved the appointment of the Alaafin of Oyo in controversial circumstances?
Billions of Naira have been wasted by the same Executive Arm of Government on failed Projects like the Light Up Oyo and many more.
The issues surrounding the Agbowo shopping complex are still shrouded in mysteries.
The simbling of the Speaker who got contracts for the rehabilitation of roads in his home town has abandoned the contract sites for years.
The Ido – Eruwa road is in a complete mess over the years.
Allegations of fraud were raised against Oriyomi Hazmat and his Companies regarding the procurement of exercise books for years now.
What has Debo Ogundoyin and the Oyo state House of Assembly done in respect of this important matters?
Nothing!
Billions of Naira have been approved by the Oyo state House of Assembly as sundry Loans for the Executive Arm of Government.
When will the House give report of oversight on the performance of the numerous Loans to the citizens of Oyo state?
” Ohun a ni ki okobo bo, ko le boo…” ( The impotent man would rather thread needles instead of performing his duties in the other room).
I am surprised that the Oyo state House of Assembly have this kind of zeal.
I thought the only thing they are good at is to keep approving Loans for Governor Makinde.
How exactly did we get here?
How did we get to the point where a House of Assembly would prioritize an issue that ought to be a personal matter between certain individuals and an organization, over and above more important issues of public concerns?
I won’t be surprised if one day we wake up to hear that the House of Assembly had passed a resolution asking us to remember to brush our teeth before eating.
If this is not idleness, what is?
I’mSOLA ABEGUNDE
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