Former IPAC Chair Calls For Resignation Of Osun Deputy Speaker For Gross Violation Of Extant Laws
A former chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, Mr Wale Adebayo has called for resignation of the Deputy Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Oyewusi Akinyode Abidemi.
A company owned by the deputy speaker and which he is a significant stakeholder, Raregeode Company Ltd was awarded a contract for the construction of “44-span bridge across Osun River and dual 2-span bridge across Erinle river,” at a financial cost of N3,937,072,827.00.
In a statement signed by the former chairman, he said the CCB act is clear and unambiguous on such matters.
The law says “a public officer shall not engage in or participate in the management or running of any private business”
Adebayo stated that he was deeply troubled by revelations regarding the deputy speaker alleged involvement in operating a company, against the Code of Conduct for Public Officers”
“There’s no doubt that he used his influence as deputy speaker of the House of Assembly to ensure the contract was awarded to a firm he has interest in.
“The deputy speaker has breached one of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and not fit and proper to continue to hold that office, a gross violation of public service rules involving contract influencing”
“He can only deceive the gullibles with his rhetoric. The truth is, he used his office to secure a project for Raregeode Company Ltd which he founded.
Adebayo said Abidemi’s action is a breach of Section Five of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which deals with the conflict of interest.
The section emphasised that a public official shall not put himself in a position where his interest conflicts with his duties and responsibilities.
The APM helmsman added that Gov. Adeleke should be blamed for awarding contract to cronies and associates, without recourse to extant rules.
“Was due diligence carried out in the award of the contract. There were reports that he awarded contract to an unregistered company”
“During his campaign, he said he was bringing dollars to rejig the economy of the state. Despite receiving a whopping sum of over N147 billion from the federation account till date, the development on ground doesn’t commensurate with the figures.
“He has failed to make the desired impact in the state. His appointments and the little contract he awarded are skewed and lopsided on basis of nepotism”, the statement read.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
