Gov. Makinde Douses Tense Political Situation In Oyo, Rallies Feuding Parties

By Ayodele Oni

The tense political situation in Oyo state ignited by allegations of planned impeachment of Governor Seyi Makinde seems to have abated

Parties involved in the rumoured impeachment plot have sheathed their swords, following the intervention of Governor Makinde.

The Olubadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja, wife of the former Governor of the state, Florence Ajimobi and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, were reportedly all involved in the alleged mobilization for the impeachment.

As this was ongoing, members of the State House of Assembly rallied to remove the Speaker following his alleged involvement in the Governor’s removal plot.

Governor Makinde’s intervention came during a meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus of the assembly at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, after lawmakers were said to have earlier met to finalize plans for the Speaker’s removal.

Speaker Ogundoyin was billed for impeachment last  Thursday, but escaped, following the intervention of the state governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, after the rumoured plan to impeach the governor.

Sources at the meeting with the governor revealed that the members had heated arguments, while some of them believed that the Speaker had dragged the Assembly in the mud and should be relieved of the post.

However, after the members present at the meeting  presented their positions, with some of them expressing disappointment at Ogundoyin, the governor was said to have calmed them and pleaded on his behalf.

The Source noted that much consideration was given to the interest of the State and that of the ruling party in shelving the idea of impeaching the Speaker.

However, Makinde’s intervention appears to have drawn a firm line that has now put an end to the crisis as he directed all members of the Assembly to close ranks with the existing House leadership under the Speaker.

The Governor reportedly emphasised the need for unity, discipline, and stability within both the legislature and the party.

The directive, it was gathered, effectively shut down any ongoing moves toward impeachment, with lawmakers said to have agreed to abide by the governor’s position.

The source said, “It (the impeachment saga) has been resolved in the interest of the state, yes, the Speaker was advised to step aside, but with the intervention of the governor, we have to take so many things into consideration and shelve the idea.

“We are going into election period and the state is more important than any person, so that idea was put aside in the interest of the state and for unity and peace in the house because we would not want the opposition to take advantage of the situation on ground.

 “The governor has invited him to meet with some Ibadan leaders to plead for him.”