– Says process negates rules guarding local governments in Osun
The Chairman of Osogbo South LCDA, Hon Abdulhakeem Olaoye has described his “impeachment” by lawmakers of the council area as “a Christmas comedy.”
In an exclusive chat with newsmen in his office on Tuesday shortly after a letter communicating his “impeachment” was released to the media.
The letter jointly signed by Hon Badmus Akeem Olaiya, Council Leader, Hon Bolanle Jimoh, Council deputy leader, Hon Olawale Waheed, Vice-Chairman and Hon Yinusa Muideen Ademola, a parliamentarian of the council alleged Olaoye of financial impropriety.
The resolution dated 24th December, 2019 resolved that Hon Abdulhakeem Olaoye vacates his seat for the council manager or the Acting Chairman while its resolutions be forwarded to the state House of Assembly with immediate effect.
Reacting, Hon Olaoye said the impeachment cannot stand as it is a figment of the imagination of the lawmakers behind it just as described the development as political.
His words “The impeachment is a funny idea. I would only describe it as an End of the Year comedy. It amazes me when people behave like they are uneducated. There are rules guiding the operations of the local government. I’m here in my office. I have never got any letter for the past 4 weeks for any sitting.”
“There is no time any sitting will take place or we want to have an executive meeting that I will not send letter to them. And even each time they want sittings to take place, they send letters but for over a month, they have not been sending letters. I was not even aware of any purported meeting today.”
“They said there was an impeachment today. I was never invited to answer any query about impeachment. I see all of them as day dreamers. Though I need to tell you it is politically motivated. They believe we do not belong to the faction they are playing politics for. They feel everybody that is not in their faction should be expunged out of position.”
“APC is one in Osun but it is just some people that believe they are all in all. I feel it may be connected to the event of last week Friday but I don’t know if they are ascribing to that to it. I was alleged of financial mismanagement. Let them challenge me anywhere, I am ready. I have provided them with the statement of account and the financial state of the council. I have always provided the statement of account which should be provided at every quarter.
The chairman said “I have never been alleged of anything. In fact, there is no allegation in the letter circulated in the public and the media. The whole process of the said impeachment is a nullity. I just see them as hungry politicians, they don’t have any idea of development of the community and that is what I stand for.”
Olaoye explained that “The local Government laws stand with the House of Assembly. It is the state parliament that has the powers of impeachment even on the local government. I have informed the appropriate quarters and all our political leaders are aware of the situation. In fact, the House of Assembly is aware of it.”
